The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken action against the top five e-commerce platforms for selling car seat belt alarm stopper clips. These clips have been found to compromise the safety of consumers by stopping the alarm beep when not wearing seat belts. This blatant sale of these clips is in violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
The Offending Platforms
Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal, Shopclues, and Meesho are the e-commerce platforms that have been issued orders against the sale of car seat belt alarm stopper clips.
The Risks of Using Stopper Clips
Using these clips can also be a hurdle for consumers seeking claim amounts in the cases of motor insurance policies, wherein an insurance company may deny the claim by citing the negligence of the claimant for using such clips. On the other hand, using a seat belt acts as a restraint that allows the airbag to provide proper cushioning and not hit the passengers at full force, which also works as a protective shield in case of collisions.
Compliance and Delisting
All five e-commerce entities submitted compliance reports based on the Directions issued by the CCPA. As a result of this initiative, about 13,118 listings of car seat belt alarm stopper clips have been delisted from the e-commerce platforms.
In a previous interview, Union Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari recalled seeing stopper clips being used to prevent the beep of seatbelt alarms during his travel in vehicles of four chief ministers. He scolded the driver and expressed concern over the use of these clips in such high-profile vehicles.
It is essential to prioritize the safety of consumers, and the CCPA’s action against these e-commerce platforms is a step in the right direction. Consumers should be aware of the risks associated with using stopper clips and always use seat belts while driving to ensure their safety and avoid any complications when making insurance claims.
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