Brands
Talk too free costs dear as CCPA slaps Rs 10 lakh fines on platforms
MUMBAI: When walkie-talkies started speaking louder than the law, the regulator pressed the mute button. India’s consumer watchdog has fined Flipkart and Meta Platforms Rs 10 lakh each for allowing the sale of walkie-talkies on their platforms without mandatory disclosures on licensing and regulatory compliance.
In separate but connected orders issued in January 2026, the Central Consumer Protection Authority held that both platforms permitted listings of regulated telecom equipment without informing consumers about critical legal requirements. These include operating frequency ranges, the need for a wireless operating licence, and mandatory Equipment Type Approval certification details essential to determine whether the devices can be legally used in India.
The Authority observed that the lack of disclosures could mislead buyers into believing the devices were fit for unrestricted use. Walkie-talkies fall under the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and are regulated by the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing. Only Personal Mobile Radios operating strictly within the 446.0–446.2 MHz band are licence-exempt; devices outside this range require prior approvals.
In Flipkart’s case, the CCPA took suo motu cognisance of the listings and issued a notice in May 2025. Submissions showed that 8,708 sellers were offering walkie-talkies, with 1,08,206 units sold since January 2023 without any verification of frequency compliance or ETA certification. The Authority termed this a systemic lapse and a failure to exercise due diligence under the Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020.
Flipkart’s defence that it functioned merely as an intermediary and that responsibility lay with third-party sellers found no favour. The CCPA ruled that marketplace entities carry an independent obligation to ensure regulated products are not sold without legally mandated disclosures.
A similar line was taken against Meta, where listings on Facebook Marketplace were found to lack regulatory information. While Meta removed some listings after receiving a show-cause notice and cited internal monitoring tools, the Authority said these steps were reactive and insufficient. It also rejected Meta’s claim that Facebook Marketplace does not qualify as an e-commerce entity, noting that facilitating product discovery and buyer–seller interaction brings it squarely within the rules.
Concluding that both platforms had engaged in misleading practices under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the CCPA imposed the penalties and directed them to strengthen compliance systems. Going forward, listings of regulated products will have to speak clearly or risk being silenced by the law.
Brands
Ather Energy doubles service network to 500 centres nationwide
EV maker scales support alongside growth to keep riders on the road
MUMBAI: Ather Energy is quietly building more than just scooters. It is building the backbone to keep them running.
The electric two-wheeler maker has expanded its service network to 500 authorised centres across India, nearly doubling its footprint in a year from 277. The move mirrors its growing retail presence and signals a clear focus on one often overlooked part of EV ownership, what happens after the purchase.
From the outset, Ather has prioritised service support in every city it enters, aiming to make ownership as smooth as the ride itself. Its Gold Service Centres bring in upgraded customer lounges, modern equipment and processes designed to make servicing more transparent and reliable.
Speed, too, is part of the pitch. Through its ExpressCare initiative, riders can get periodic maintenance done in about an hour, now available across 82 centres, turning what used to be a chore into a quick pit stop.
Ather Energy chief business officer Ravneet Singh Phokela said, “Crossing 500 service centres is an important milestone as we scale across the country. Reliable after-sales support is central to the ownership experience, and our focus remains on consistent service quality and accessibility.”
The expansion comes as demand grows for models like the Ather 450 and the Rizta, which have helped the company reach a broader set of riders across metros and emerging cities alike.
Alongside servicing, Ather continues to power up infrastructure through the Ather Grid, now one of the largest fast-charging networks for two-wheelers, with over 4,300 charging points.
With plans to scale further and deepen its presence, Ather’s approach is clear. Selling the scooter may start the journey, but keeping it running smoothly is what sustains it.
