Notice to 6 e-commerce firms for wireless devices sale, Pg16

Key Highlights:

• The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued notices to six e-commerce platforms for listing restricted drone and GPS jammers.
• The notices were issued for violating the Consumer Protection Act-2019 and other telecom and trade control laws.
• The e-commerce platforms are Everse, Indiamart, Xboom, Javiat Aerospace, AirONE Robotics and MavericDrones & Technologies Pvt Ltd.
• The devices were listed without disclosing mandatory licensing, Equipment Type Approval (ETA), or Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) certification details.

Detailed Insights:

• The listed devices include "anti-drone systems", "drone jammers" and "GPS jammers," which are restricted wireless transmitting devices.
• The CCPA observed that the online listing lacked disclosure of mandatory licensing requirements and did not clearly state the prohibition of civilian possession and use without authorization.
• The omission of information regarding statutory restrictions and legal consequences constitutes misleading advertisement and unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
• The CCPA has directed the concerned entities to furnish details of procurement, import licenses, invoices, and regulatory approvals related to these devices.

Key Concepts Involved:

• CCPA: The apex consumer watchdog in India, established to protect consumer rights.
• Equipment Type Approval (ETA): Certification required for wireless devices to ensure they meet regulatory standards.
• Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC): Wing of the Department of Telecommunications responsible for frequency spectrum management and licensing.