In a move safeguarding consumer rights, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken aim at Amazon Seller Services Pvt. Ltd. for the sale of sweets under the misleading name “Shri Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prasad” on its online platform.
Acting on a complaint filed by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), the CCPA found numerous instances of sweets and food products falsely claiming the prestigious association with the Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on Amazon.in. This deceptive practice, the CCPA stated, misleads consumers and potentially influences their purchasing decisions based on inaccurate product information.
Such actions violate Rule 4(3) of the Consumer Protection (e-commerce) Rules, 2020, which prohibits unfair trade practices within online platforms. Additionally, the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, defines “Misleading advertisement” as any promotion that falsely describes a product or service, leading consumers astray regarding its nature, quality, or quantity.
Amazon has been served a notice by the CCPA demanding a response within seven days. Failure to comply may result in necessary action under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. This could involve penalties, product removal, or even platform-wide restrictions.
This case shines a light on the importance of consumer protection in the e-commerce space. Consumers have the right to accurate information and fair purchasing practices, and the CCPA’s intervention serves as a reminder to online platforms that exploiting religious sentiments or manipulating product descriptions will not be tolerated.
This move by the CCPA sends a strong message to online retailers and highlights its commitment to protecting consumers from deceptive marketing tactics. By cracking down on such misleading practices, the authority aims to create a fair and transparent online marketplace where consumers can make informed purchase decisions based on accurate product information.