What Exactly Are GPS Jammers?
A Global Positioning System (GPS) jammer is a device that seeks to prevent the accurate functioning of a GPS satellite system. GPS jammers are, in essence, a radio transmitter that emits radio waves on the same frequency as a GPS satellite. When the signal from the GPS satellite reaches a GPS receiver, along with its intended signal, the unintended signal is presumed to be interference from another source (i.e., the GPS jammer). Therefore, the receiver discards the GPS satellite signal, and the accurate time and location it would otherwise have received from the satellite. The result is the inability of the GPS receiver to determine its location.
The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Department of Transportation (DOT) have both cited potential safety issues directly linked to the use of GPS jammers . DOT has warned of potential impacts on commercial aircraft and the hazardous location or loss of emergency equipment, such as a fire truck, ambulance, and police car. The FCC has identified interference caused by GPS jammers as an emerging cause of harmful interference to not only commercial aviation, but also to general aviation, commercial and recreational maritime, and GPS-based location and timing services utilized in the national, regional, and local economies. Even the use of seemingly less powerful wireless service devices, such as cellular telephones and personal information carriers (e.g., Blackberries, iPhones, etc.), can adversely impact the functioning of GPS systems.
The Legality of GPS Jammers in the United States
The legal status of GPS jammers in the United States is clear: they are illegal. In fact, in 2008, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a ruling that specifically prohibited the use and sale of GPS jammers within the United States. The rationale behind this ban is that GPS jammers have the potential to disrupt not only GPS systems, but also other electronic devices that rely on the same frequency ranges, including cell phones, emergency response radios, and aircraft navigation systems.
The FCC’s order outlines the penalties for using or selling GPS jammers, which can be severe. Offenders can face hefty fines and even jail time for illegal operations. The law additionally allows for the seizure of jamming devices and the destruction of the equipment as a way to remove them from circulation.
However, it should be noted that this ban is enforced within the United States only. As a result, some individuals have been known to purchase jammers from countries where their sale is legal and import them into the US for personal use. This is still illegal, and offenders can still face fines and confiscation of the devices.
Notwithstanding the FCC ban, the use of GPS jammers remains a significant misdemeanor in US law. This is because it poses a significant risk to the safety and security of individuals, organizations, and communities at large. The FCC continues to monitor the use of jammers in the country and enforce the ban through its field agents and by coordinating with other law enforcement agencies.
Ultimately, the legal status of GPS jammers in the US is crystal clear. The key takeaway here is that their use should be avoided, as there is a constant risk of being caught in the legal net, with serious implications.
Other Countries’ Take on GPS Jammers
Legislation on GPS Jammers in Other Countries
Similar to the US and many other jurisdictions, the use of jamming devices in Canada is illegal. In a recent enforcement action, Industry Canada recently confiscated several thousand jamming devices from a Manitoba vendor and issued a substantial monetary penalty against the vendor. While no reports of harm or injury were referred to in the press release, the seizures are substantial. This indicates that Canada takes the issue seriously and will continue to enforce its ban on jamming devices.
Mexico prohibits the use of cell phone jammers. Telecomunicaciones de Mexico (Telecom) has called attention to the unlawful use of these devices at a tennis competition in Merida, Mexico. The local authorities also warned that using a jamming device constitutes a violation of the Federal Telecommunications Act. The fine for a violation was set at $40,000 by Telecom.
Enforcement action against jammers is reportedly strict in France. Devices seized and fines levied have been significant, as noted in a report by RF Globalnet.
Japan has a strict prohibition against the use of GPS jammers. The Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications recently helped Japan Customs intercept over one million jammers.
A debate is ongoing in Great Britain as to whether GPS jamming is in fact illegal under the current law. Limited enforcement action has occurred thus far against the devices.
Using GPS Jammers and the Consequences
In September 2013, the U.S. Navy acknowledged that Active Denial System (ADS) technology had been used within the U.S. Navy for the development of LRAD devices, where the frequency range of the acoustic jammers is substantially narrower than that typically used in commercial LRADs. In January 2015, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a bulletin to warn that the use of GPS jammers is illegal and can cause everything from traffic accidents to a nationwide airline ground stop (FAA Regulations). In June 2017, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") settled its first enforcement action for unlawful operation of a GPS jammer against a commercial fishing captain in North Carolina ("The case"). In August 2017 , a bus driver in the U.K. was convicted and fined for using an illegal device that jammed vehicle location tracking systems mounted on school buses. In September 2017, the U.S. FCC issued 200,000 USD in fines to four licensees for using automobile speed limiters that interfered with the GPS system of vehicles with unintended consequences. These cases highlight how enforcement agencies have investigated and took action against illegal use of jammers, and how using GPS jammers come with risks and consequences both at individual level and wider implications on communities.
Options Besides GPS Jammers
In lieu of using GPS jammers, which may be difficult and potentially illegal to use legally, a person can consider using the following technologies. A significant percentage of vehicles have keyfob starters, which can double as tracking devices, such as the Nissan Altima, Toyota Avalon, Honda Civic, and the Ford Explorer. Installing a commercial-grade keyfob starter isn’t necessarily an easy task, but if a qualified professional installs it, you probably’ll never have to worry about your vehicle being tracked. General GPS trackers are another alternative, and can even be hidden under your car’s rear bumper. On the lower end of the price spectrum, the Apple Air Tag and the Tile Mate key finder are both inexpensive and able to be placed in a backpack or purse and subsequently used to locate a person’s items. If a person wants to conceal their whereabouts without committing illegal acts, and only visit their own locations when necessary, these alternatives can serve and possibly even exceed a person’s expectations.
Upcoming Bans of GPS Jammers
Like most technology based legislation, the combination of social and technological change has left current legislation in some state of limbo. Revisions to the law are likely to happen only after the controversy of using such devices forces the issue. As it stands, the telecommunications act makes no reference whatsoever to GPS devices nor does it even mention the FCC. FCC Chairman Thomas Wheeler is on the record as to his position when it comes to jamming. "I have a very simple position about this that sends a very clear message . If you violate the law intentionally by jamming communications signals, we will use the strong legal tools at our disposal to penalize you to the full extent of the law." The issue with enforcing violations of the law are many, most of which present real problem for courts. For example, where and how did the device get into the country? Were they modified to jam signals or purchased as-is? Where was the device used? As the debate around jammers continues, so does the line of legal reasoning flowing through the courts. The issue is not going to be addressed in the immediate future, leading to a continuing trend of illegal use of GPS jammers.