In a move to tighten security and protect consumer interests, the Indian government has begun cracking down on the unauthorized sale of walkie-talkies and other radio equipment on e-commerce platforms. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, has notified "Guidelines for the Prevention and Regulation of Illegal Listing and Sale of Radio Equipment including Walkie Talkies on E-Commerce Platforms, 2025." These guidelines, which came after consultations with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), aim to curb the misuse of radio frequencies, prevent interference with critical communication networks, and ensure compliance with national telecommunications laws.
The government's concern stems from the observation that walkie-talkies are frequently sold online without mandatory disclosures about the need for operating licenses or adherence to relevant laws. Many product listings fail to specify frequency ranges, licensing obligations under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, or the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and the Use of Low Power, Very Low Power Short Range Radio Frequency Devices (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules. This lack of transparency misleads consumers into believing the devices are legal for unrestricted public use.
The new guidelines mandate that only authorized and compliant walkie-talkie devices operating on permitted frequencies can be listed for sale online. Each listing must specify the frequency range, include proof of regulatory approvals such as Equipment Type Approval (ETA), and clearly state whether a license is required for use. E-commerce platforms are now responsible for verifying these details and delisting any products that do not comply. They must also prohibit misleading advertisements or product descriptions that suggest the devices are legal for unrestricted public use. Sellers, on the other hand, must ensure their products do not operate on frequencies that require prior authorization from the DoT.
These measures are intended to address several key issues. First, they aim to prevent the unauthorized use of radio frequencies, which can cause interference with critical communication networks used by law enforcement, emergency services, and other essential sectors. Second, they seek to protect consumers from being misled into purchasing devices that they are not legally allowed to operate. Third, they aim to ensure that all radio equipment sold online meets the necessary regulatory standards and has the required approvals.
The CCPA has already taken action against numerous e-commerce platforms for listing and selling walkie-talkies without proper disclosures. Notices have been sent to major platforms, asking them to delist non-compliant products. While some platforms, including Amazon, Flipkart, and Meesho, have removed flagged listings, others have yet to comply. The CCPA is also urging online platforms to implement automated monitoring and takedown mechanisms to ensure ongoing compliance. Violations of these guidelines will attract penalties under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with sellers potentially facing fines and other legal consequences.
The government's crackdown on unauthorized walkie-talkie sales reflects a broader effort to strengthen national security and protect consumer rights in the digital age. By ensuring that radio equipment sold online is compliant with regulations and that consumers are fully informed about the legal requirements for operating such devices, the government hopes to create a safer and more transparent marketplace for these products.
