Archive · 20 Jan 2026
India Cracks Down on Illegal Walkie-Talkie Sales Online
India's consumer watchdog, the CCPA, is taking action against e-commerce platforms for selling walkie-talkies that don't have the right approvals.
Walkie-talkies are devices that let people talk to each other over short distances using radio waves.
The problem is that some of these devices operate on frequencies that are reserved for important services like police and emergency responders.
This can cause interference and put public safety at risk.
The CCPA has fined several companies, including Meesho, Amazon, and Flipkart, for not providing the necessary information about these devices.
They have also issued new guidelines to make sure that e-commerce platforms check for the right approvals before selling walkie-talkies.
This is to make sure that only safe and legal devices are sold online.
India's CCPA has cracked down on e-commerce platforms for selling unauthorized walkie-talkies without mandatory approvals.
Unauthorized walkie-talkies can interfere with critical communication systems used by law enforcement and emergency services.
The CCPA found that many listings did not disclose critical information such as frequency band, licensing requirements, and ETA certification.
Penalties of ₹10 lakh each were imposed on Meesho, Flipkart, Amazon, and Meta, while smaller fines were given to other platforms.
New guidelines require e-commerce platforms to verify frequency bands, ensure ETA certification, and clearly disclose licensing requirements.
- Who
- Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) and e-commerce platforms (Meesho, Amazon, Flipkart, Meta, Chimiya, JioMart, Talk Pro, MaskMan Toys)
- What
- Crackdown on unauthorized walkie-talkie sales online
- When
- Ongoing, with recent enforcement actions
- Where
- India
- Why
- To prevent interference with critical communication systems and ensure public safety and national security
- Regulatory Body
- Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)
- E-commerce Platforms Fined
- Meesho, Flipkart, Amazon, Meta, Chimiya, JioMart, Talk Pro, MaskMan Toys
- Penalties Imposed
- ₹10 lakh each on Meesho, Flipkart, Amazon, Meta; ₹1 lakh each on Chimiya, JioMart, Talk Pro, MaskMan Toys
- Frequency Band Issue
- UHF 400-470 MHz (reserved for critical services)
- Mandatory Approval
- Equipment Type Approval (ETA) from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
- Licence-Exempt Band
- 446.0-446.2 MHz
- Guidelines Issued
- Guidelines for the Prevention and Regulation of Illegal Listing and Sale of Radio Equipment including Walkie-Talkies on E-Commerce Platforms, 2025