CCPA fines Hogar Technologies for misleading walkie-talkie advertisements
India’s Central Consumer Protection Authority has fined Hogar Technologies 100,000 rupees for failing to disclose mandatory frequency and licensing information for walkie-talkies listed on its website.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a 100,000 rupee fine on Hogar Technologies and Innovations LLP, citing misleading advertising practices. The investigation found that the company's website promoted walkie-talkies without disclosing necessary operating frequencies or the statutory licensing requirements mandated by the Department of Telecommunications.
Hogar’s defense rested on the claim that its website served only as a lead-generation tool rather than a point-of-sale platform, noting the absence of a checkout feature. However, the CCPA rejected this argument, maintaining that under the Consumer Protection Act, product pages constitute advertisements regardless of whether an online transaction is completed. The regulator emphasized that a platform's obligations are determined by its consumer impact rather than its specific technical design or self-characterization.
This enforcement action aligns with recent CCPA initiatives targeting major e-commerce marketplaces for similar regulatory non-compliance regarding radio equipment listings. In addition to the fine, the regulator has ordered Hogar to ensure all future product listings comply with statutory disclosure requirements. The company is now required to conduct self-audits and submit a formal compliance report to the authority.