January 16, 2026 : The Central Consumer Protection Authority has taken suo motu action against the unauthorised sale of walkie-talkies on e-commerce platforms, imposing penalties on major online marketplaces for regulatory breaches and misleading advertisements.
The Authority found more than 16,900 non-compliant walkie-talkie listings across online platforms. Many products were sold without mandatory disclosures such as operating frequency, licensing requirements, and Equipment Type Approval (ETA). Several listings also falsely claimed that the devices were licence-free or completely legal.
The CCPA noted that many of these walkie-talkies operate on restricted UHF bands used by police and emergency services, raising serious concerns for public safety and national security.
Rejecting claims of intermediary protection, the Authority held e-commerce platforms directly accountable and imposed penalties of ₹10 lakh on each for non-compliance. It has also issued new 2025 guidelines to curb the illegal online sale of radio equipment, requiring stricter verification, certification, and continuous monitoring by platforms.
The CCPA warned that misleading product listings not only violate consumer rights but also pose significant risks to public safety.
