The use of unapproved devices that disrupt cell phone signals has been flagged by the FCC as a potential security hazard.

The sale of "signal jammer" - devices capable of disrupting cell phone calls, text messages, Wi-Fi networks, and GPS systems - has caught the attention of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), prompting concerns about potential disturbances in public places.

The small, battery-powered devices can be used to create "dead zones" within a small area, usually 30 feet or so, and have been used by movie theaters, restaurants, and schools to keep people off their cell phones. But they also cut off 911 calls, can disrupt navigation near airports, and have been used near police stations to interrupt radio communications. Officials at the FCC say they've noticed an increasing number of cell phone jammer, which are banned by federal law, coming into the country. Many cheaper versions, which sell for as little as $25, are imported from Asia, according to the agency.

The Communications Act of 1934 strictly prohibits the sale, advertising, usage, or importation of jammers, as it is illegal to disrupt radio communications in public places.

As per the FCC, jammers were promoted on the site in Orlando, Philadelphia, Austin, Mississippi, Charlotte, N.C., Washington, D.C., Cincinnati, and Corpus Christi, Texas. Officials have stated that they do not see any connection between the cases.

The FCC's enforcement bureau chief, Michele Ellison, pointed out that the simple action of posting an ad for a signal jammer on websites such as Craigslist.org is breaking federal law. Signal jammers are considered contraband for a particular reason.

In line with the citations, the majority of sellers promoted jammers as a way to enjoy an undisturbed nap while traveling on a bus, maintain a quiet educational setting, or create a peaceful environment, without mentioning the potential for misuse of the device.

As mentioned in one of the citations, there is an increasing concern about the limited comprehension of individual consumers who operate jamming devices regarding the serious consequences that may arise. These operators mistakenly believe that their illegal use of jammers is justified by personal convenience or should be pardoned.

The FCC has indicated that there was at least one seller who had knowledge of jammers being classified as contraband.

Keith Grabowski allegedly advertised a "cell phone jammer, wifi jammer" on the Philadelphia Craigslist, with a price tag of $300. In the ad, he acknowledges the limited details disclosed about the item due to its nature. He emphasizes that the jammer is not a toy and expresses his intention to dispose of it as quickly as possible.

His citation reveals that the ad created by Mr. Grabowski suggests his awareness of the sensitive and potentially illegal nature of the device he was selling on Craigslist.

The establishment of the "Jammer Tip Line" by the FCC allows individuals to easily inform the bureau about any suspected cases of jammer sales or usage, ensuring efficient reporting and investigation of such activities.

It was announced by Ellison that we have a firm determination to increase the severity of our enforcement actions against violators. Any individuals caught selling or operating a jammer will face costly consequences.

The use of unapproved devices that disrupt cell phone signals has been flagged by the FCC as a potential security hazard.

The sale of "signal jammer" - devices capable of disrupting cell phone calls, text messages, Wi-Fi networks, and GPS systems - has caught the attention of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), prompting concerns about potential disturbances in public places.

The small, battery-powered devices can be used to create "dead zones" within a small area, usually 30 feet or so, and have been used by movie theaters, restaurants, and schools to keep people off their cell phones. But they also cut off 911 calls, can disrupt navigation near airports, and have been used near police stations to interrupt radio communications. Officials at the FCC say they've noticed an increasing number of cell phone jammer, which are banned by federal law, coming into the country. Many cheaper versions, which sell for as little as $25, are imported from Asia, according to the agency.

The Communications Act of 1934 strictly prohibits the sale, advertising, usage, or importation of jammers, as it is illegal to disrupt radio communications in public places.

As per the FCC, jammers were promoted on the site in Orlando, Philadelphia, Austin, Mississippi, Charlotte, N.C., Washington, D.C., Cincinnati, and Corpus Christi, Texas. Officials have stated that they do not see any connection between the cases.

The FCC's enforcement bureau chief, Michele Ellison, pointed out that the simple action of posting an ad for a signal jammer on websites such as Craigslist.org is breaking federal law. Signal jammers are considered contraband for a particular reason.

In line with the citations, the majority of sellers promoted jammers as a way to enjoy an undisturbed nap while traveling on a bus, maintain a quiet educational setting, or create a peaceful environment, without mentioning the potential for misuse of the device.

As mentioned in one of the citations, there is an increasing concern about the limited comprehension of individual consumers who operate jamming devices regarding the serious consequences that may arise. These operators mistakenly believe that their illegal use of jammers is justified by personal convenience or should be pardoned.

The FCC has indicated that there was at least one seller who had knowledge of jammers being classified as contraband.

Keith Grabowski allegedly advertised a "cell phone jammer, wifi jammer" on the Philadelphia Craigslist, with a price tag of $300. In the ad, he acknowledges the limited details disclosed about the item due to its nature. He emphasizes that the jammer is not a toy and expresses his intention to dispose of it as quickly as possible.

His citation reveals that the ad created by Mr. Grabowski suggests his awareness of the sensitive and potentially illegal nature of the device he was selling on Craigslist.

The establishment of the "Jammer Tip Line" by the FCC allows individuals to easily inform the bureau about any suspected cases of jammer sales or usage, ensuring efficient reporting and investigation of such activities.

It was announced by Ellison that we have a firm determination to increase the severity of our enforcement actions against violators. Any individuals caught selling or operating a jammer will face costly consequences.

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has previously affirmed an employer's policy that bans the use of cell phones by employees in the workplace for safety reasons. In a separate ruling, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recently upheld a fine against an employer for employing signal jammers to prevent cell phone usage by employees at work.

The use of signal jammers, which suppress, block, or interfere with authorized radio frequencies and communications, is illegal under the federal Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"), with a few limited exceptions. Such mobile jammers pose a direct threat to public safety by preventing individuals from making emergency calls to 911, disrupting the communications of first responders, and interfering with vital safety communications in aviation and maritime operations.

According to the Act, the operation or use of any device designed to transmit energy, communications, or signals by radio is prohibited within the United States unless it has received the necessary licensing or authorization. The Act further mandates that no person shall intentionally or maliciously disrupt or interfere with the radio communications of any station licensed or authorized under this chapter or operated by the United States Government.

Moreover, the Act articulates that "No person shall manufacture, import, sell, offer for sale, or transport a device or household electronic device or system that does not conform to the regulations established under this section, nor shall they utilize a device that is not compliant with the regulations promulgated under this section." It is required that radio frequency devices receive authorization from the Federal Communications Commission before they can be employed.

Therefore, a jamming device is not eligible for certification or authorization, as its principal aim is to disrupt or block authorized radio communications. The implementation of such a device would threaten the integrity of the nation's communications infrastructure. Hence, a jamming device does not align with the technical standards of the FCC and cannot be legally utilized in the United States.

In this situation, the FCC Enforcement Bureau probed a Texas warehouse business following an interference complaint lodged by AT&T. The owner of the business confessed to using a signal jammer to inhibit employees from accessing their cell phones while working. The FCC indicated that the owner admitted her son had been warned by an AT&T representative about the illegality of such devices. Additionally, the owner informed FCC agents that she had disposed of the jamming device and was not willing to retrieve it or indicate its location, although she did suggest selling it to the agents, a proposal that was turned down.