3 weeks ago
India asks Google to block Peekaboo gender test results
Some online sellers were offering kits that claim to predict a baby’s sex before birth.
The kits were available for shipping to India, where using such tests is against the law.
India has this law because sex selection has contributed to fewer girls being born.
eBay removed nine listings after being told about them.
The company said the listings broke local rules and its own policies.
India also asked Google to stop showing some Peekaboo website links in search results.
However, a later check still found those links.
The companies and the Indian government had not publicly explained why the links remained visible.
eBay removed nine gender-prediction kit listings after being alerted that they offered shipping to India.
The listings included Peekaboo and SneakPeek products priced from $6.99 to $156.59.
India’s law prohibits prenatal sex determination and allows prison sentences of up to three years for violations.
India’s Ministry of Health asked Google to remove search results linking to the Peekaboo website.
A Tuesday check found that the three cited searches still produced links to Peekaboo, while Google and the ministry did not comment.
- Who
- India’s Ministry of Health, Google, eBay, and sellers offering Peekaboo and SneakPeek gender-prediction kits.
- What
- India requested that Google remove search results linking to Peekaboo, while eBay reviewed and removed listings for gender test kits.
- Where
- The listings and search results were accessible online to users in India.
- When
- The government notices were sent on August 9; eBay removed the listings after being notified the previous week, and a later Tuesday check still found the links.
- Why
- India’s law prohibits prenatal sex determination as part of efforts to curb female feticide and the decline in the number of girls born.
Indian regulators
Companies and sellers
Removing online access
Indian regulators
India’s Ministry of Health said Google search results were displaying information that directly or indirectly promoted fetal-sex prediction and requested their removal under Indian law.
Companies and sellers
Google did not respond to inquiries, and a later check found that the cited Peekaboo links were still appearing in search results.
Marketplace responsibility
Indian regulators
The listings were viewed as violating India’s restrictions on prenatal sex determination, prompting scrutiny of online platforms’ controls.
Companies and sellers
eBay said the listings violated local regulations and its policies, removed them, and began reviewing shipping, payment, and other controls. DNA Diagnostics Center said it does not sell or distribute the kits for resale in India and cannot control independent third parties after purchase.
Key facts
- eBay listings removed
- Nine gender-prediction kit listings were removed after a publication alerted eBay.
- Listed products
- The listings included Peekaboo and SneakPeek kits.
- Prices
- The kits were listed at prices ranging from $6.99 to $156.59.
- Indian law
- Prenatal sex determination is prohibited, with prison sentences of up to three years for violations and harsher penalties for repeat offenses.
- Government notices
- India’s Ministry of Health sent two notices to Google on August 9.
- Searches cited
- The notices referenced “peekaboo test,” “buy peekaboo test online,” and “boy or girl.”
- Later search check
- A Tuesday check found links to the Peekaboo website for all three searches.
Quotes
eBay
Online marketplace that removed the gender-prediction kit listings
“These listings violated local regulations and eBay's policies; we are reviewing controls, including shipping and payment processes, to determine if further improvements are needed.”
thehansindia.com
“eBay has controls in place to prevent certain gender prediction products from being visible in India.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
Related news
Amazon, Flipkart Review Unlicensed Security Camera Listings in India
Google Proposes Direct Child Abuse Reports to Indian Authorities
CDSCO Warns Against Unauthorised Pakistani Whitening Creams in India
Google, Meta CSAM Reporting Tests India’s Big Tech Protections
India Food Regulator Acts Against Five E-Commerce Platforms
CCPA Fines Amazon, Flipkart and JioMart Over Unregistered Herbicide
Why Global Icons Visited Neem Karoli Baba’s Kainchi Dham
Elon Musk: Visionary Genius or Reckless, Evil Billionaire?
Bengaluru Hospital Music Night Sparks Backlash, CEO Defends Event
Tanaya Amar Connects Enterprise Analytics, AI and Better Decisions
