FCC Steps Up Cell Phone, GPS Jamming Enforcement Efforts

The FCC Enforcement Bureau recently announced new efforts to clamp down on the marketing, sale, and use of illegal cell phone and GPS jamming devices. Jamming devices are radio frequency transmitters that intentionally block, jam, or interfere with lawful communications, such as cell phone calls, text messages, GPS systems, and Wi-Fi networks.  A single violation of the jamming prohibition can result in tens of thousands of dollars in monetary penalties, seizure of the illegal device, and imprisonment. The Bureau released two Enforcement Advisories and a downloadable poster on cellphone and GPS jamming that warn consumers, manufacturers, and retailers (including online and Web-only companies) that the marketing, sale, or use of cell, GPS, and other jamming devices is illegal. These steps highlight a new outreach phase of the Bureau’s continuing effort to halt the distribution and proliferation of illegal jamming devices in the United States. In the last two weeks, the Bureau issued warnings to four well-known online retailers – including the company that markets the TxTStopper^TM – directing them to cease marketing jamming devices to customers in the U.S. or face stiff fines.Read more from the FCC.