Bengal police urge e-comm platforms to comply with guidelines on walkie talkie device sales
Times of India | 14 May 2025
Dwaipayan.GhoshKolkata: The state police wrote to all e-commerce officials and their suppliers in this state to respect the recent mandate where the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) initiated action against the listing and sale of walkie-talkie devices on e-commerce platforms that lack three key aspects: proper disclosure of operating frequencies, licensing information, and Equipment Type Approval (ETA).The Bengal police followed the same lines as Delhi Police, which also echoed the CCPA guidelines and tweeted the same. The absence of such critical information, as sought by CCPA, stated cops, constitutes a violation of multiple laws. According to CCPA, this includes the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and the Use of Low Power, Very Low Power Short Range Radio Frequency Devices (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 2018.Officials from the state police cyber cell emphasised that unauthorised walkie-talkies could pose significant security risks, particularly in sensitive areas like the Chicken's Neck in the state or vital installations. "These devices, when operating on unauthorised frequencies, can interfere with official communication channels and potentially be misused for criminal activities," said a state cop at Bhawani Bhawan.The crackdown came after several instances where unlicensed walkie-talkies were found to be sold online across the country with little knowledge about the buyers.E-commerce platforms have been given 15 days to comply with the new guidelines or face legal action, the CCPA already stated.Advocacy groups like the HAM radio organisers, independent researchers, and aviation security experts welcomed the move, stating it will help protect both national security interests and consumer rights. "We campaigned for this step for a long time now. Better late than never. Many buyers are unaware of the legal requirements for operating these devices. This initiative will ensure better transparency," said one of them. MSID:: 121138793 413 |Dwaipayan.GhoshKolkata: The state police wrote to all e-commerce officials and their suppliers in this state to respect the recent mandate where the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) initiated action against the listing and sale of walkie-talkie devices on e-commerce platforms that lack three key aspects: proper disclosure of operating frequencies, licensing information, and Equipment Type Approval (ETA).The Bengal police followed the same lines as Delhi Police, which also echoed the CCPA guidelines and tweeted the same. The absence of such critical information, as sought by CCPA, stated cops, constitutes a violation of multiple laws. According to CCPA, this includes the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and the Use of Low Power, Very Low Power Short Range Radio Frequency Devices (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 2018.Officials from the state police cyber cell emphasised that unauthorised walkie-talkies could pose significant security risks, particularly in sensitive areas like the Chicken's Neck in the state or vital installations. "These devices, when operating on unauthorised frequencies, can interfere with official communication channels and potentially be misused for criminal activities," said a state cop at Bhawani Bhawan.The crackdown came after several instances where unlicensed walkie-talkies were found to be sold online across the country with little knowledge about the buyers. E-commerce platforms have been given 15 days to comply with the new guidelines or face legal action, the CCPA already stated.Advocacy groups like the HAM radio organisers, independent researchers, and aviation security experts welcomed the move, stating it will help protect both national security interests and consumer rights. "We campaigned for this step for a long time now. Better late than never. Many buyers are unaware of the legal requirements for operating these devices. This initiative will ensure better transparency," said one of them. MSID:: 121138793 413 |