CCPA issues notices to 6 e-commerce platforms over illegal sale of drone, GPS jammers

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued notices to six e-commerce platforms for listing and offering for sale restricted wireless transmitting devices such as anti-drone systems, drone jammers and GPS jammers, an official statement said on Friday.

The notices have been served on M/s Everse, IndiaMART, Xboom, Javiat Aerospace, M/s AirONE Robotics and M/s Maveric Drones & Technologies Pvt Ltd.

The CCPA observed that the devices were being listed online without disclosure of mandatory licensing requirements, without valid Equipment Type Approval (ETA) or Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) certification details, and without clearly stating that civilian possession and use without statutory authorisation is prohibited.

The authority noted that the listings were made in a manner likely to mislead consumers into believing that such devices are freely purchasable.

The CCPA has directed the entities to furnish detailed information, including the source of procurement or import along with copies of import licences, invoices and related documents; copies of regulatory approvals or authorisations; and the legal basis for offering the restricted equipment for commercial sale.

The platforms have also been asked to provide the number of units sold during the preceding two years along with complete purchaser details, particulars of third-party sellers listing similar equipment, and a complete list of similar radio frequency or wireless transmitting equipment offered on their platforms.

Drone jammers and signal jamming equipment are regulated under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and are subject to strict licensing and regulatory control by the Department of Telecommunications and its Wireless Planning & Coordination wing.

The import of such restricted equipment is governed under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 and applicable DGFT notifications.

Such equipment is ordinarily permitted only to authorised government agencies and law enforcement authorities, subject to statutory approvals.

The omission of material information regarding statutory restrictions and legal consequences prima facie amounts to misleading advertisement and unfair trade practice, the statement said.

The authority said it had earlier issued an advisory to e-commerce entities against illegal sale and facilitation of wireless jammers.

“The CCPA remains committed to safeguarding consumer interests and ensuring that regulated or restricted products are not unlawfully offered for commercial sale through digital marketplaces,” the statement said.