The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is reportedly investigating Amazon and a number of other online retailers and drone technology companies for their alleged sale of illegal radio frequency devices.
The FCC’s actions align with an investigation conducted by NBC News that found more than a dozen different companies marketing devices for sale that interfere with licensed communications systems by sending out competing radio signals. These radio frequency jammers, as they are called, can be used to block Wi-Fi networks or to disable security cameras or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, also known as drones).
Radio frequency jammers have the potential to interfere with licensed radio communications services, including public safety services and networks. They are expressly prohibited from being marketed or sold in the U.S. under federal law and FCC rules.
According to an article posted in mid-March to the NBC News website on the network’s investigation, an FCC spokesperson acknowledged that the Commission has several ongoing investigations into illegal jammer sales. “We have several ongoing investigations into retailers, including Amazon, for potential violations of Commission rules related to the marketing and sale of equipment without FCC authorization,” said Jonathan Uriarte, the FCC spokesperson.
Read the NBC News posting regarding the FCC’s investigation into Amazon and other online retailers regarding the sale of radio frequency jammers.
