Amazon, Flipkart & Others Delist Walkie-Talkie After Govt’s Advice
In a recent development, e-commerce giants Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, JioMart, and others have removed walkie-talkie listings from their websites, following guidelines issued by the Centre to prevent the unauthorized sale of radio communication devices online. The government’s move aims to prevent interference with communication systems used by government bodies, which could compromise national security and public safety.
The guidelines, issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), mandate the sale of walkie-talkies operating within permitted frequency bands. This means that only walkie-talkies that use frequencies allocated by the government for commercial use will be allowed to be sold online. The move is aimed at preventing the unauthorized sale of radio communication devices that could potentially disrupt critical communication systems.
Prior to the issuance of these guidelines, walkie-talkies with unauthorized frequencies were freely available for sale on online marketplaces, which raised concerns about the potential misuse of these devices. The government’s decision to regulate the sale of walkie-talkies online is seen as a step towards ensuring the security and safety of critical communication systems.
The guidelines also require e-commerce platforms to ensure that the walkie-talkies they sell are certified by the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933. This means that online sellers will need to obtain necessary certifications and approvals from the government before listing walkie-talkies on their platforms.
The removal of walkie-talkie listings from e-commerce platforms is not limited to Amazon and Flipkart. Other online marketplaces, including Meesho and JioMart, have also delisted their walkie-talkie offerings following the government’s guidelines. This is a significant development, as it indicates that the government’s regulations are being taken seriously by online sellers.
The government’s move to regulate the sale of walkie-talkies online is seen as a step towards ensuring the security and safety of critical communication systems. Walkie-talkies with unauthorized frequencies can potentially disrupt critical communication systems used by government bodies, emergency services, and other important organizations. By regulating the sale of walkie-talkies, the government aims to prevent the misuse of these devices and ensure that only certified and approved devices are available for sale online.
The guidelines issued by the government are not limited to e-commerce platforms. They also require online sellers to ensure that the walkie-talkies they sell are compliant with the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) guidelines for the sale of radio communication devices in India.
The sale of walkie-talkies with unauthorized frequencies is not limited to online marketplaces. Offline retailers and physical stores also sell these devices, which raises concerns about the potential misuse of these devices. The government’s guidelines are expected to have a broader impact on the sale of walkie-talkies in India, as they will apply to all retailers and sellers, online and offline.
The government’s decision to regulate the sale of walkie-talkies online is seen as a step towards ensuring the security and safety of critical communication systems. It is also expected to reduce the risk of interference with critical communication systems used by government bodies and emergency services.
In conclusion, the removal of walkie-talkie listings from e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, and JioMart, is a significant development in the regulation of the online sale of radio communication devices in India. The government’s guidelines aim to prevent the unauthorized sale of walkie-talkies with unauthorized frequencies and ensure that only certified and approved devices are available for sale online. The move is seen as a step towards ensuring the security and safety of critical communication systems used by government bodies, emergency services, and other important organizations.
