Official U.S. Government information about the
Global Positioning System (GPS) and related topics
Information About GPS Jamming
Jamming devices are radio frequency transmitters that intentionally block, jam, or interfere with lawful communications, such as cell phone calls, text messages, GPS systems, and Wi-Fi networks.
Jammers are illegal to market, sell, or use in the United States.
A single violation of the jamming prohibition can result in tens of thousands of dollars in monetary penalties, seizure of the illegal device, and imprisonment.
FCC Advisories
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Public Advisory
WARNING: Jammer Use is Prohibited; Prohibition Applies to Use by the Public and State and Local Government Agencies, Including State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies (Dec 2014)
Read more (PDF) -
Press Release
FCC Enforcement Bureau Rolls Out New Jammer Tip Line: 1-855-55NOJAM (Oct 2012)
Read more (PDF) -
Press Release
FCC Enforcement Bureau Steps Up Education and Enforcement Efforts Against Cellphone and GPS Jamming (Feb 2011)
Read more (PDF) -
Consumer Advisory
CONSUMER ALERT: Using or Importing Jammers is Illegal (updated Oct 2012)
Read more (PDF) 中文 (PDF) Español (PDF) -
Retailer Advisory
Retailers Advised that the Marketing or Sale of Devices Designed to Block, Jam, or Interfere with Authorized Radio Communications Is Strictly Prohibited in the U.S. (Feb 2011)
Read more (PDF)
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 (PDF) And more (PDF) - 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 (PDF) - 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
1-855-55-NOJAM Frequently Asked Questions About GPS Jammers
"We need consumers to be our eyes and ears. Jammers do not just weed out noisy or annoying conversations and disable unwanted GPS tracking, they can prevent 9‑1‑1 and other emergency phone calls from getting through in a time of need."
Michele Ellison, Chief of the Enforcement Bureau, FCC
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Learn about applicable laws, recent enforcement actions, and more.
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