Don’t listen to what Bob Marley says, if we’re jamming, we’re in trouble

Seems there’s been a rash of vigilante action lately, especially in Philadelphia. Bus passengers aren’t feeling much brotherly love when it comes to people talking loudly on cell phones so they’ve been using portable electronic devices and jamming the signal. Phone call stops, everyone’s happy except the person with the phone. Yesterday, the FCC clarified that if you’re doing that, you’re breaking the law and you can be fined up to $100,000 for jamming a signal.

Hillicon Valley quotes the FCC:

“We caution consumers that it is against the law to use a cell or GPS jammer or any other type of device that blocks, jams, or interferes with authorized communications, as well as to import, advertise, sell, or ship such a device,” FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Michele Ellison said. “The FCC Enforcement Bureau has a zero tolerance policy in this area and will take aggressive action against violators.”

There was a crackdown on companies selling the devices last year.