On January 16, 2026, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued final orders and imposed penalties on several major e-commerce platforms for the illegal sale of walkie-talkies.
The crackdown targeted 13 e-commerce entities that were found listing and selling unauthorized Personal Mobile Radios (PMRs) in violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and Indian telecom laws.
Major Platforms and Penalties
The CCPA identified over 16,970 non-compliant listings and imposed a total penalty of ₹44 lakh across eight of the thirteen entities investigated so far.
| Penalty Amount | E-Commerce Platforms Fined |
| ₹10 Lakh Each | Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, and Meta (Facebook Marketplace) |
| ₹1 Lakh Each | JioMart, Talk Pro, Chimiya, and MaskMan Toys |
Note: Investigations are ongoing for the remaining five entities: IndiaMart, TradeIndia, Antriksh Technologies, Vardaanmart, and Krishna Mart.
Key Violations Identified
The investigation revealed that these platforms were facilitating the sale of radio equipment that posed significant risks to national security and public safety.
- Restricted Frequencies: Many devices operated in the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band (400–470 MHz), which is reserved for police, emergency services, and disaster response. In India, only the 446.0–446.2 MHz band is license-exempt for PMRs.
- Missing Certifications: Platforms sold devices without the mandatory Equipment Type Approval (ETA) from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
- Misleading Advertisements: Products were falsely labeled as “100% legal” or “license-free.”
- Toys with Tactical Range: Some devices were marketed as children’s toys but featured communication ranges of up to 30 kilometers, far exceeding toy safety and regulatory standards.
New Regulatory Guidelines
In response to these lapses, the CCPA has notified the “Guidelines for the Prevention and Regulation of Illegal Listing and Sale of Radio Equipment, 2025.” These rules mandate:
- Mandatory Disclosures: Listings must clearly state the operating frequency and licensing requirements.
- Automated Takedowns: Platforms must deploy AI-driven tools to detect and remove non-compliant radio gear.
- Self-Audits: Major marketplaces are now required to conduct regular self-audits and publish “Compliance Certificates” on their websites.
- Rejection of Intermediary Defence: The CCPA officially rejected the “intermediary” argument, ruling that platforms cannot claim they are passive conduits when hosting regulated products without due diligence.
“Unauthorised radio devices can cause harmful interference with critical national communication networks used by law enforcement and emergency services. This is a direct threat to public order.” — Nidhi Khare, Consumer Affairs Secretary.
