Mobile phone jammer

A mobile phone jammer or blocker is a device which deliberately transmits signals on the same radio frequencies as mobile phones, disrupting the communication between the phone and the cell-phone base station, effectively disabling mobile phones within the range of the jammer, preventing them from receiving signals and from transmitting them. Jammers can be used in practically any location, but are found primarily in places where a phone call would be particularly disruptive because silence is expected, such as entertainment venues.

Because they disrupt the operations of legitimate mobile phone services, the use of such blocking devices is illegal in many jurisdictions, especially without a licence. When operational, such devices also block access to emergency services.

These blockers, if used frequent enough, could be integrated with privacy-stealing softwares and technologies to steal person information. Hackers would disturb the signal of a victim first, and then strategically listen in to the victim's conversations for example.

Legality

Since these jammers actively broadcast radio signals, they may or may not be legal to possess or operate based on the specific laws of the area one is in.

  • Australia: Illegal to operate, supply, or possess[1] unless the user has a PMTS C telecommunications licence under the Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Determination 2000.[2]
  • Brazil: Illegal, but installation in jails has been proposed.[3]
  • EU: Illegal, according to the European Commission's "Interpretation of the Directive 1999/5/EC".[6]
  • France: Legal until 2012 in movie theaters, concert halls and places with performances, but illegal since 2012.[7]
  • India: Illegal by law except for security and military agencies, and usage in jail, theatres, mosques, schools etc. with prior permit and jamming strictly limited to the firm perimeter with zero leakage.
  • Iran: Illegal to use without permits.
  • Italy: Illegal both to own[8] and use,[9] according to the Penal Code offenders are punished with imprisonment up to four years. Can be used under strict authorization in exceptional cases by Italian law enforcement agencies, such as Polizia Di Stato and Carabinieri.
  • Pakistan: Illegal to use without permission. The individuals or institutions must get No Objection Certificates (NOCs) before installation of such devices.[12]
  • Singapore: Illegal to manufacture, import, use or sell radio jamming equipment other than by or for supply to a permitted person.[13]
  • South Africa: Illegal. No organisation is allowed to jam cellular signals, and any device which is used to jam signals is illegal.[14]
  • Sweden: Illegal. Legal inside jails, prisons, and for military use.[15]
  • United Kingdom: Illegal to use, but legal to own. Having been proposed by prison inspectors,[17] installation and use in jails has been legal since the end of 2012.[18]
  • United States: Cell phone blocking devices are used by federal officials under certain circumstances.[19] Privacy rights of property owners may affect the policy and application of law within buildings. For radio communications, it is illegal to operate, manufacture, import, or offer for sale (including advertising) (Communications Act of 1934).[20] Blocking radio communications in public can carry fines of up to $112,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year.[21] The Homeland Security Act of 2002 may override the Communications Act of 1934.[22]

See also

References
  1. Grubb, Ben (17 July 2013). "Illegal mobile phone and GPS jammer crackdown by regulator yields results". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  2. "NRadiocommunications (Prohibition of PMTS Jamming Devices) Declaration 2011". legislation.gov.au. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  3. Rogerio Waldrigues Galindo. "Bloqueador de celular licitado pela Assembleia é de uso ilegal". Gazeta do Povo. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  4. "Jamming Devices are Prohibited in Canada: That's the Law". Industry Canada, National Capital Region, Office of the Deputy Minister, Spectrum, Information Technologies, and Telecommunications. www.ic.gc.ca. Government of Canada. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  5. "Radiocommunication Act of Canada". laws-lois.justice.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 16 October 2016.
  6. "Interpretation of the Directive 1999/5/EC". ec.europa.eu. European Commission, Enterprise and Industry. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  7. "controle des frequences actualites les brouilleurs" [Jammer legislation in France - ANF R]. www.anfr.fr (in French). Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  8. "Articolo 617 bis Codice penale (R.D. 19 ottobre 1930, n. 1398) — Installazione di apparecchiature atte ad intercettare od impedire comunicazioni o conversazioni telegrafiche o telefoniche" [Italian Penal Code, art. 617 bis]. brocardi.it (in Italian). Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  9. "Articolo 617 bis Codice penale (R.D. 19 ottobre 1930, n. 1398)" [Italian Penal Code, art. 617]. brocardi.it (in Italian). Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  10. "Spectrum policy". rsm.govt.nz. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  11. "Mobiles jammed in prisons". One News. 21 August 2007. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  12. "Illegal mobile jammers to be removed". www.pta.gov.pk (Press release). Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  13. "Spectrum policy". rsm.govt.nz. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  14. "This is who may jam cellular signals in South Africa". mybroadband.co.za. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  15. "Förbud mot störsändare". pts.se. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  16. "Мобилки на тестах заставят замолчать". jammer.su (in Russian). Moscow, RU. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  17. "Jam mobile phone signals in prisons, says inspector". bbc.co.uk. BBC News. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  18. "Prisons (Interference with Wireless Telegraphy) Act 2012". parliament.uk. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  19. "Technical approaches to preventing contraband cell phone use in prisons" (PDF). The Boeing Company. 11 June 2010. p. 7. Docket No. 100504212-0212-01. Retrieved 16 November 2014 – via National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Federal law enforcement entities are exempted and permitted to use wireless jamming technologies in critical situations to protect law enforcement personnel and the general public when apprehending suspects.
  20. Communications Act of 1934 (PDF). fcc.gov (Report). Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  21. "Blocking & jamming FAQ" (PDF). Wireless & Cellular Services. Federal Communications Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 November 2016.
  22. Reardon, Marguerite (6 December 2006). "Company challenges FCC rules on cell phone-jamming gear". CNET News. CBS Interactive Inc.
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