Centre Cracks Down on Illegal Sale of Walkie-Talkies on E-Commerce Sites

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 30th May: The government is taking a firm stand against the illegal sale of walkie-talkies and other radio devices on online shopping platforms. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, has issued new guidelines aimed at stopping unauthorized listings that can put consumer safety and critical communication networks at risk.

These fresh rules come after discussions with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Telecommunications, ensuring a united effort to tackle the issue. Officials noticed many walkie-talkies being sold without clear information about licensing requirements or legal use. This confusion often leads buyers to think these devices can be freely used, which isn’t true and could cause interference with important communication channels like those used by police and emergency services.

Under the new guidelines, only walkie-talkies that meet strict regulatory standards and operate on approved frequencies will be allowed for sale online. Sellers must clearly mention technical details such as frequency ranges and provide proof that their products are certified by authorities.

E-commerce platforms are now required to double-check seller credentials and remove any listings that don’t follow these rules. False or misleading claims about the legality of using such devices are also banned. The guidelines set out clear penalties for anyone who breaks these rules.

Before these guidelines, CCPA had already sent notices to online marketplaces over nearly 17,000 listings of questionable walkie-talkies. The government will continue monitoring these platforms closely to keep consumers safe and ensure the law is followed.

These steps aim to bring more transparency to online sales and protect everyone—from buyers to the agencies relying on clear radio communication in times of emergency.