New Delhi: The Centre has tightened its grip on the online sale of sensitive signal-jamming equipment, with the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issuing notices to six companies and e-commerce platforms for allegedly listing and selling anti-drone systems, drone jammers and GPS jammers without mandatory legal disclosures.
The action follows a probe that found multiple product listings offering restricted wireless-interference devices to general consumers without mentioning licensing requirements, regulatory approvals or usage restrictions. Such omissions, the authority observed, could mislead buyers into believing that these devices can be freely purchased and used, despite strict legal controls.
According to the notices, the entities named in the proceedings include Everse, IndiaMART, Xboom, Javiat Aerospace, AirONE Robotics and Maveric Drones & Technologies Pvt Ltd. They have been asked to furnish detailed information on import licences, procurement sources, regulatory clearances, number of units sold over the past two years, buyer details and the corrective steps taken to remove or block such listings.
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Legal Framework Governing Jamming Devices
Under India’s wireless regulatory framework, signal-jamming equipment falls within a tightly controlled category governed by the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933. The sale, possession or use of such devices requires prior approval from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and certification from the Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) wing, including Equipment Type Approval (ETA). In practice, these devices are restricted to authorised government and law-enforcement agencies because of their potential to disrupt communication networks and navigation systems.
The CCPA’s preliminary findings indicate that several listings did not mention these statutory requirements, nor did they warn consumers that unauthorised possession or use could be illegal. The authority has treated this as a prima facie case of misleading advertisement and unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which mandates full and accurate disclosure of material information to consumers.
E-Commerce Due Diligence and Platform Liability
The development also brings into focus the obligations placed on online marketplaces under the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020. These rules require platforms to exercise due diligence in ensuring that products offered on their portals comply with applicable laws. Marketplaces are expected to verify the legality of goods, display mandatory regulatory information and prevent the listing of prohibited or restricted items. Failure to do so can attract regulatory action, including penalties and directions to remove non-compliant content.
Officials said the open availability of jamming devices poses significant public safety and national security risks. Such equipment can interfere with aviation systems, emergency communications, GPS-based navigation and critical infrastructure networks. Unregulated access, therefore, raises concerns that go beyond consumer protection and enters the domain of internal security.
The notices signal a broader policy shift towards stricter oversight of digital marketplaces, particularly in categories involving dual-use or sensitive technologies. In recent months, regulators have increased scrutiny of online listings ranging from wireless transmitters to surveillance equipment, emphasising that platform liability does not end with hosting third-party sellers.
Public Safety and National Security Concerns
Industry observers note that the outcome of the current proceedings could set an important compliance benchmark for e-commerce intermediaries. If violations are established, the companies involved may face penalties, directions for product delisting and possible restrictions on future listings in regulated categories.
For consumers, the action serves as a reminder that not all products visible on online platforms are legally permissible to purchase or use. The regulator has reiterated that buyers should check whether a device requires government authorisation before placing orders, particularly in the wireless and signal-transmission domain.
The government’s intervention underscores a dual objective: protecting consumers from misleading digital listings while ensuring that technologies capable of disrupting communication networks remain confined to authorised operational use. With digital commerce expanding rapidly into specialised hardware segments, enforcement agencies are expected to intensify monitoring of compliance with telecom, wireless and consumer protection laws.
Further action will depend on the responses submitted by the companies to the CCPA’s notices. Non-compliance or inadequate disclosures could lead to stronger enforcement measures, reinforcing the message that regulatory adherence is as critical as product availability in the online marketplace.
