{
  "id": 20070467,
  "title": "Online platforms liable for banned listings: Panel",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/14/online-platforms-liable-for-banned-listings-panel",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-14T22:44:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/online-platforms-liable-for-banned-listings-panel/articleshow/135844316.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "New Delhi: An online platform cannot evade responsibility under consumer protection law by hiding behind its intermediary status, according to the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC). The ruling carries broader implications and serves as a deterrent against the sale of hazardous items, regulated products, and other regulated goods that pose potential danger. Online platforms and e-commerce companies typically rely on their intermediary status to avoid liability for such listings. The NCDRC upheld a penalty of Rs 20 lakh against Weblink.in in response to orders issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) regarding the online listing of ammonium nitrate, picric acid, and pentaerythritol tetranitrate. The commission confirmed the penalty imposed by the authority. In its ruling, the commission stated that the platform could not claim immunity under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act merely because it lacked \"actual knowledge\" of the listings. Additionally, the commission rejected the company's plea for \"selective diligence.\" The commission emphasized that the platform had its own set of guidelines and was aware of the precautions necessary for facilitating transactions involving hazardous substances or prohibited items that could endanger consumers.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}