Amazon, Flipkart & others delist walkie-talkie after govt’s advice
In a significant move, Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, JioMart, and several other e-commerce platforms have removed flagged walkie-talkie listings from their websites. This decision comes after the Centre issued guidelines for the prevention of unauthorised sale of radio communication devices online. The guidelines were issued to ensure that the sale of walkie-talkies operating within permitted frequency bands is regulated.
As per the guidelines, the Centre has mandated that only walkie-talkies operating within the permitted frequency bands can be sold online. This move aims to prevent the sale of walkie-talkies that can interfere with communication systems used by government bodies. With the rise of e-commerce platforms, the sale of walkie-talkies had become a concern for the government, as they could potentially cause disruptions to critical communication systems.
The guidelines were issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The guidelines stipulate that e-commerce platforms must ensure that only walkie-talkies that meet the required specifications and operating within the permitted frequency bands are sold online.
In a statement, a senior government official said, “The government has been receiving complaints about the sale of unauthorized walkie-talkies online, which can cause interference with critical communication systems used by government bodies. To address this issue, we have issued guidelines for e-commerce platforms to ensure that only walkie-talkies operating within permitted frequency bands are sold online.”
The guidelines require e-commerce platforms to verify the technical specifications of walkie-talkies before listing them on their websites. They must also ensure that the products meet the required standards and are certified by the relevant authorities.
Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, and JioMart have all removed flagged walkie-talkie listings from their websites, complying with the government’s guidelines. Other e-commerce platforms are also expected to follow suit.
The move is seen as a significant step towards regulating the sale of radio communication devices online. With the rise of e-commerce, the sale of such devices had become widespread, and the government had been receiving complaints about the sale of unauthorized walkie-talkies.
The government’s move is also seen as a step towards ensuring the security and integrity of critical communication systems used by government bodies. The sale of unauthorized walkie-talkies can cause disruptions to these systems, which can have serious consequences.
Industry experts have welcomed the government’s move, saying that it is a step towards regulating the online sale of radio communication devices. They also praised e-commerce platforms for complying with the government’s guidelines.
“Regulating the online sale of walkie-talkies is a critical step towards ensuring the security and integrity of critical communication systems,” said an industry expert. “We welcome the government’s move and are pleased that e-commerce platforms have complied with the guidelines.”
In conclusion, the government’s guidelines for regulating the online sale of walkie-talkies are a significant step towards ensuring the security and integrity of critical communication systems. The removal of flagged walkie-talkie listings by e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, and JioMart is a compliance with the guidelines and a welcome move towards regulating the online sale of radio communication devices.
