FCC Investigates Amazon and Retailers for Selling Unlawful Electronic Devices Including Jammers

FCC investigates Amazon and retailers for selling illegal electronic devices, like radio jammers, violating FCC rules and endangering critical infrastructure.

The Federal Communications Commission has announced that it is conducting an investigation into Amazon and several other retailers for the alleged marketing and selling of illegal electronic devices, including radio frequency jammers. This investigation comes after reports that a number of retailers and drone technology companies have been advertising jammers online, despite warnings from the FCC that these devices are illegal.

Ongoing Investigations

The FCC disclosed the ongoing investigations, revealing that Amazon is among the retailers under scrutiny for potential violations of Commission rules related to marketing and selling equipment without proper FCC authorization. The spokesperson for FCC, Jonathan Uriarte, stated that there are several ongoing investigations into retailers, and further details are not immediately available.

Diverse Marketers of Signal Jammers

NBC News reported a variety of companies marketing signal jammers online, including Amazon third-party sellers, separate online stores based in China, and small domestic companies specializing in drone-related equipment. These findings highlight the widespread availability of such unlawful devices through multiple channels.

Amazon's Response

Amazon did not provide an immediate comment when requested by NBC News regarding the FCC's statement about the investigations. However, the Seattle-based retailer confirmed that its policies prohibit jamming devices and assured that it continuously monitors its marketplace to prevent third-party sellers from listing banned products.

The Risks and Misuse of Jammers

Jammers have various potential uses, such as deterring drones, disabling security cameras and blocking Wi-Fi networks. However, they can also disrupt emergency communications, standard phone use, and critical infrastructure like airport navigation systems. The FCC and outside experts warn that the misuse of jamming equipment poses significant risks to public safety and vital services.

Prohibition and Action Against Jamming Equipment

Under the Communications Act of 1934, the manufacture, importation, sale, or offer for sale of jamming equipment is deemed illegal. Notably, even local law enforcement agencies are prohibited from using such devices. NBC News discovered that nine independent sellers on Amazon were recently offering "jammer" devices for sale. Following NBC News' inquiry, all nine product listings vanished from Amazon within two days, indicating a swift response from the e-commerce giant to remove the prohibited items from its platform.

Amazon, in an email earlier this month, did not elaborate on how the nine sellers managed to bypass its monitoring process, but affirmed its commitment to preventing the listing of banned products by third-party sellers.

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