These companies include Chimiya, JioMart, Talk Pro, Meesho, MaskMan Toys, TradeIndia, Antriksh Technologies, Vardaanmart, IndiaMart, Meta Platforms Inc. (Facebook Marketplace), Flipkart, Krishna Mart, and Amazon.
Investigations revealed that these platforms were enabling the sale of Personal Mobile Radios (PMRs) operating outside the license-exempt frequency band and lacking Equipment Type Approval (ETA) certification or proper licensing disclosures.
According to a PIB statement, these listings included PMRs that operated on restricted and sensitive radio frequencies without the required statutory disclosures.
The PIB noted that several products operated within the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band — utilized by police, emergency services, and disaster response networks — and were sometimes marketed as “license-free” or even sold as toys, boasting communication ranges of up to 30 km.
Current regulations stipulate that license exemption applies only to PMRs functioning strictly in the 446.0-446.2 MHz band. According to Rule 5 of the Use of Low Power and Very Low Power Short Range Radio Frequency Devices Rules, 2018, ETA approval is mandatory prior to import, sale, or operation.
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Major violations across platforms
Flipkart sold 65,931 units where the frequency range was either unspecified or fell outside the exempted range. An additional 42,275 units were sold with correct frequency disclosures. Amazon recorded sales of 2,602 units between January 2023 and May 2025, with 467 listings lacking frequency or certification details.
Meesho reported sales of 2,209 units by a single seller, with many listings failing to disclose ETA certification or frequency specifications. JioMart sold 58 units over two years without clear licensing disclosures, while Facebook Marketplace had 710 listings delisted following CCPA intervention.
Talk Pro (Iconet Services Pvt Ltd) listed devices operating within the UHF 400-1200 MHz range while falsely claiming they were “100% legal” and “license-free.” Chimiya offered walkie-talkies functioning in UHF 400-470 MHz, outside the authorized spectrum, imported without necessary approvals.
PIB’s detailed evaluation highlighted the extent of violations, indicating that multiple platforms omitted essential information such as frequency bands, licensing obligations, and ETA/WPC status—constituting misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Intermediary defence rejected
Several platforms sought to claim intermediary status to evade responsibility for third-party listings. The CCPA dismissed this defence, asserting that platforms facilitating listing, hosting, discovery, and promotion of regulated products cannot be regarded as merely passive conduits.
“Intermediary protections are contingent upon the exercise of effective due diligence and do not extend to situations where platforms allow products to be listed or advertised without mandatory statutory disclosures,” the authority stated.
New compliance architecture
To enhance accountability, the CCPA has established guidelines for the Prevention and Regulation of Illegal Listing and Sale of Radio Equipment, including Walkie-Talkies on E-Commerce Platforms, 2025, in collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
These guidelines require verification of frequency compliance, ETA certification, full disclosure of licensing requirements, prohibition of misleading claims, and implementation of automated monitoring and takedown processes. According to PIB, platforms must also ban claims such as “license-free” or “100% legal” unless verified.
The authority has further instructed major platforms to conduct self-audits, publish audit certificates online, and strengthen pre-listing compliance mechanisms to prevent the sale of radio equipment lacking statutory approvals.
As reported by PTI, the CCPA cautioned that unauthorized radio communication devices may disrupt critical national communication networks, including those utilized by law enforcement, disaster response agencies, and emergency services. The PIB statement also emphasized the implications for national security and the consumer reliance on online specifications for informed decision-making.
Five cases involving Antriksh Technologies, IndiaMart, Tradeindia.com, Vardaanmart, and Krishna Mart remain under investigation or hearing.
