CCPA Fines Meesho ₹10 Lakh for Selling Walkie-Talkies Without Legal Approvals
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a penalty of ₹10 lakh on Meesho for allowing walkie-talkies to be sold on its platform without the mandatory legal and compliance disclosures. The authority said that the e-commerce company misled customers and failed to stop sellers from listing radio devices that require strict regulatory permissions.
The order, passed by a Bench led by Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare and Commissioner Anupam Mishra, observed that Meesho permitted the sale of walkie-talkies without informing buyers about rules relating to spectrum use, licence requirements, and certifications required under Indian telecom laws.
Walkie-talkies are regulated under the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933. Their use and approval fall under the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing of the Ministry of Communications. The government has also issued detailed guidelines under the 2018 rules explaining how licences can be obtained and which devices fall in the licence-exempt category.
As per these rules, manufacturers must obtain an Equipment Type Approval (ETA) certificate from the WPC to confirm that their products follow telecom regulations. Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and the E-commerce Rules, 2020, online platforms must clearly disclose all compliance details when selling such devices.
However, the CCPA found that Meesho listed and sold walkie-talkies without informing buyers whether the devices required a wireless operating licence or whether they met the necessary legal standards. Many listings did not mention anything about ETA, WPC approval, or licence requirements. This, according to the authority, could lead customers to assume that the devices could be used freely without restrictions.
Due to these violations, the CCPA initiated suo motu proceedings. The investigation revealed that Meesho continued to allow these listings until May 2025 without making the disclosures mandated under consumer protection laws.
Officials also noted that customers were denied critical information, creating potential legal and safety risks. The order highlighted that Meesho failed to provide ETA certificates, WPC documents, product IDs, listing details, and seller verification records for several walkie-talkies flagged as non-compliant. Data further showed that more than 2,029 units had been sold by various sellers, but the platform furnished details only for one seller.
In its defence, Meesho stated that some sellers had placed walkie-talkies under the “Kids & Toys” category by mistake and that the company removed non-compliant listings whenever they were reported. It also said that it later introduced improved monitoring mechanisms, including automated detection tools and human review systems.
The CCPA, however, did not accept these arguments. It clarified that e-commerce companies cannot treat themselves as passive intermediaries when they manage seller onboarding, pricing models, and listing systems that generate revenue for them. According to the authority, platforms must proactively prevent unlawful sales instead of waiting for complaints.
The order also criticised Meesho for not taking action against sellers who listed restricted devices. Instead of penalising them, the platform merely removed the listings.
Along with the ₹10 lakh penalty, the CCPA has directed Meesho to ensure that no walkie-talkies or other licensed radio-based devices are listed on its website unless all necessary government approvals are clearly disclosed. The platform must also conduct periodic self-audits to identify misleading or illegal listings and publish the audit certificates on its website for consumer awareness.
The ruling sends a strong message that online marketplaces must take responsibility for the products they host and that non-disclosure of essential legal information will invite strict regulatory action.
