Official U.S. government information about the
Global Positioning System (GPS) and related topics
Information About GPS Jamming
Federal law prohibits the operation, marketing, or sale of any type of jamming equipment that interferes with authorized radio communications, including cellular and Personal Communication Services (PCS), police radar, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
Signal jamming devices can prevent you and others from making 9-1-1 and other emergency calls and pose serious risks to public safety communications, as well as interfere with other forms of day-to-day communications.
The use of a phone jammer, GPS blocker, or other signal jamming device designed to intentionally block, jam, or interfere with authorized radio communications is a violation of federal law. There are no exemptions for use within a business, classroom, residence, or vehicle. Local law enforcement agencies do not have independent authority to use jamming equipment; in certain limited exceptions use by Federal law enforcement agencies is authorized in accordance with applicable statutes.
It is also unlawful to advertise, sell, distribute, import, or otherwise market jamming devices to consumers in the United States.
The use or marketing of a jammer in the United States may subject you to substantial monetary penalties, seizure of the unlawful equipment, and criminal sanctions including imprisonment.
What To Do If You Believe Authorized Communications Are Being Jammed
A loss of or interference with service can occur for a variety of reasons. If you are experiencing problems with your service, your first course of action should be to contact your wireless provider to investigate the issue. You should also troubleshoot your equipment and connectivity issues in accordance with manufacturer and service provider recommendations.
FCC Advisories
- Public Advisory (2014)
- Consumer Advisory (2012) 中文 Español
- Retailer Advisory (2011)
- Press Release (2011)
Major Enforcement Actions
- May 2016: FCC imposed a fine of $34,912,500 to a Chinese electronics manufacturer and online retailer for marketing 285 models of signal jamming devices to U.S. customers for more than two years.
Learn more And more - August 2013: FCC proposed a fine of nearly $32,000 for an individual whose illegal use of a GPS jamming device on the highway outside Newark Airport interfered with an aviation safety system in 2012.
Learn more - April 2013: FCC fined two companies for using illegal signal jammers at their worksites. The fines were set at $144,000 and $125,000, respectively.
Learn more at FCC.gov And more - October 2012: FCC announced enforcement actions against individuals selling signal jamming devices on craigslist.org, warning that the Bureau intends to impose substantial monetary penalties for similar violations going forward.
Learn more at FCC.gov - October 2011: FCC announced it had issued 20 enforcement actions against online retailers in 12 states for illegally marketing more than 200 uniquely-described models of jamming devices.
Learn more at FCC.gov
