The Enforcement Bureau of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued citations against at least six individuals found to be offering cellphone signal jamming devices for sale on Craigslist.
The citations were the result of a two week undercover operation by the Enforcement Bureau in early October 2012, in which 23 separate ads on Craigslist were targeted. The undercover operation is part of an aggressive campaign by the FCC to stop the advertising and sale of jamming devices through online marketplaces.
Jamming devices can block all radio communication within a given area, including 911 emergency system calls made from cellphones and urgent communications by public safety officials. For that reason, FCC rules prohibit the importation, advertising or selling of jamming devices, as well as the use of jamming devices by individuals. Monetary penalties for violation of these rules can exceed $100,000 per violation.
The FCC has issued an Enforcement Advisory which details its rules regarding jamming devices.
