The Illegality of GPS Jamming
6 Nov 2012Creating “quiet zones” through the use of GPS jamming is more than improving the ambiance and relaxing atmosphere of your establishment – it’s also illegal. There is an ever increasing number of schools, restaurants, movie theaters, and public transportation vehicles using devices that jam GPS and other mobile devices. This practice is illegal and being enforced by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Enforcement Bureau.
GPS jammers, also known as text stoppers and signal blockers, block the ability to communicate with mobile devices including GPS units. Using, selling, and distributing GPS jammers is a direct violation of federal law as it interferes with authorized communications.
Blocking communications on GPS tracking devices and other mobile devices is not only dangerous to anyone trying to contact emergency personnel, but also stripping individual freedoms. If a jammer is being used in a public location, GPS devices and cell phones will no longer work — which means calling 9-1-1 is out of the question. It also can disrupt important law enforcement communication, such as police, fire, and ambulance communication.
The FCC Enforcement Bureau has a zero tolerance policy for devices that jam GPS devices and cell phones. Advertising, manufacturing, selling, and using jammers is strictly prohibited except by authorized federal government users. Anyone caught using or selling a GPS jammer will face a myriad of consequences including paying penalties of $100,000 or more, getting their jamming equipment seized, and possibly facing jail time. GPS jammers aren’t illegal in all countries, but anyone caught importing jamming devices into the United States will face the same legal ramifications.
As of February 2011, the FCC Enforcement Bureau began getting serious about banning the marketing, selling, and use of jamming devices for GPS and mobile phones. Citations were issued to retailers caught selling devices, and users were faced with monetary penalties for the illegal use of jammers.
In October 2011, the FCC reported issuing 20 enforcement citations against online retailers that spanned 12 states for over 200 types of jamming devices. While these GPS jammers were uniquely named in an attempt to cover up their purpose, the FCC caught on and issued legal action. Later in March 2012, the FCC Enforcement Bureau’s legal actions against retailers and individuals with jamming devices, piqued the interest of media channels and issued an updated enforcement advisory.
In recent news, seven citations were issued to well-known retailers who were selling GPS jammers; the products were revoked and the retailers were charged hefty penalties. Retailers are prohibited from advertising or selling jamming devices of any kind, regardless of their name. Calling a GPS jammer a signal blocker does not signify a legal device; any device blocking authorized communications is against the law, according to the FCC.
If you have witnessed the marketing, selling, or using of jamming devices, you should report it to the FCC Enforcement Bureau immediately as this is a direct violation of federal law.
Further details concerning jammer enforcement is found at www.fcc.gov/eb/jammerenforcement or through email at jammerinfo@fcc.gov.
Anyone interested in filing a complaint to alert the Enforcement Bureau arm of the FCC to illegal GPS, cell, or other jamming devices can visit www.fcc.gov/complaints or call the FCC at 1-888-CALL-FCC.
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