CCPA Launches Crackdown on Illegal Online Sale of Anti-Drone and GPS Jammers
In a significant regulatory move, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has initiated a crackdown on the online sale of "anti-drone" and "GPS jammer" devices. The consumer protection body has issued formal notices to six prominent e-commerce platforms and technology entities for allegedly facilitating the sale of these restricted devices without proper regulatory compliance.
Targeted Entities Face Potential Penalties
The CCPA has directed notices to Everse, Indiamart, Xboom, Javiat Aerospace, AirONE Robotics, and Maveric Drones & Technologies Pvt Ltd. These entities now face the risk of punitive action for what officials describe as misleading product listings and serious regulatory non-compliance. The authority has expressed concern that these platforms have been offering restricted equipment without disclosing mandatory licensing requirements to consumers.
Regulatory Violations Identified
The CCPA's investigation revealed multiple regulatory violations in the online sale of these devices. According to the authority's observations, these platforms were listing anti-drone and GPS jamming equipment without:
- Disclosure of mandatory licensing requirements
- Valid Equipment Type Approval (ETA) certification details
- Proper Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) certification information
- Clear statements that civilian possession and use without statutory authorization is prohibited
The authority stated that such sales practices are likely to mislead consumers into believing these highly regulated devices are freely purchasable by the general public.
Comprehensive Information Sought
The CCPA has demanded detailed information from the targeted entities, including:
- Complete source of procurement and import documentation
- Copies of import licenses, invoices, and related import documents
- Regulatory approvals and authorizations from multiple government bodies
- The legal basis for offering restricted equipment for commercial sale
- Complete sales data from the past two years with purchaser details
- Information about third-party sellers listing similar equipment
- Steps taken to discontinue such listings and prevent recurrence
- A comprehensive list of similar radio frequency or wireless transmitting equipment offered on their platforms
Strict Regulatory Framework
Drone jammers and signal jamming equipment fall under strict regulatory control in India. These devices are governed by:
- The Indian Telegraph Act
- The Wireless Telegraphy Act
- Licensing and regulatory control by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
- Oversight by the Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) Wing
- The Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 for imports
- Applicable DGFT notifications
Such equipment is ordinarily permitted only for authorized government agencies and law enforcement authorities, subject to statutory approvals. The CCPA's action underscores the serious nature of these regulatory requirements and the potential risks associated with unauthorized possession and use of signal jamming technology.
The authority has specifically requested regulatory approvals from the WPC, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Cabinet Secretariat, and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). This comprehensive approach indicates the seriousness with which the CCPA is treating this matter of national security and consumer protection.
