Illegal Jamming of Noisy Cell Phone Talkers On the Rise
They may be illegal, but cell phone jammers are becoming more and more popular. These devices, which can cost as little as $50 and be as small as a pack of cigarettes, work by sending out strong radio waves that interfere with cell phone antennas, resulting in a "No Signal" warning on the phone.
According to the New York Times, overseas exporters of the cell zapping boxes say shipments to the U.S. have increased recently. They've been shipping hundreds every month to owners of hair salons, restaurants, theaters, and even annoyed commuters who just want some peace and quiet.
The FCC and cell phone providers, like Verizon, have recently stepped up efforts to track down and punish not only retailers, but also the users of cell phone jammers -- first-time offenders can be fined up to $11,000. Some might think this a small price to pay for getting that yappy teen in the movie theater to shut up, but we're not quite ready to cough up that much money for a little silence.
From The New York Times (via Consumerist)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
Stephen @ Nov 5th 2007 11:43AM
Why are they illegal? Jammers should be approved for legal use at:
Movie Theaters
Churches
Libraries
Schools
Michael Bierman @ Nov 5th 2007 12:16PM
Where is my confirmation email?
Michael Bierman
Michael Bierman @ Nov 5th 2007 12:19PM
You sent my question concerning my confirmation email rather than my comment to the post.
I am getting tired of the shabby problems of posting on aol.
Michael Bierman
Michael Bierman @ Nov 5th 2007 12:22PM
Forget this problematic post.
Michael of Art aka Michael Bierman
Michael Bierman @ Nov 5th 2007 12:22PM
I AGREE WITH STEPHEN ON THAT LIST, BUT HOW WOULD YOU STOP JERKS FROM MESSING WITH EVERYONE FOR LAUGHS, WITHOUT HEAVY FINES?
Michael of Art
Michael Bierman @ Nov 5th 2007 12:24PM
Thank you for finally posting my comment.
Michael of Art
Tim @ Nov 5th 2007 3:11PM
A cell phone jammer beats an ice pick. Talk on a cell phone in a theatre and take your pick (no pun intended).
Jessica @ Nov 5th 2007 3:27PM
Why are they illegal? Jammers should be approved for legal use at:
Movie Theaters
Churches
Libraries
Schools
11/05/07 11:43 AM
yea and in case of emergency your suppose to do what???? Especially in places like schools where workers can be quite anal about letting students use phones.. even in emergency situations. I'm sorry but if I'm paying for my cell phone service I have the right to use it where I see fit.. not where YOU see fit! You think this should be legal you pay for all the time i can't use my phone!
selikhO @ Nov 5th 2007 3:29PM
it's actually a very scary device that could be used as a helpful tool to commit any kind of violence or crime to prevent a victim from calling for help.
terrymcfalls @ Nov 5th 2007 3:34PM
two way callers are the most rude,,,these ill bred fools share there stupid azz life on speaker phone,and the ovious losers with the cheap clothes and blue tooth take the cake,and dont ever go to a show with more than 10% blacks,thats off the hook..and no your stupid azz kid does not need a phone in school,call the office,we did it for years...
Jessica @ Nov 5th 2007 3:40PM
it's actually a very scary device that could be used as a helpful tool to commit any kind of violence or crime to prevent a victim from calling for help.
11/05/07 3:29 PM
EXACTLY!!! Some people should consider thinking before they talk! I'm not one to use my cell phone in a library or movie theater but this day in age it is a wonderful safety device for us! Just think what will happen when criminals start getting their hands on these!
Judy @ Nov 5th 2007 3:47PM
I think the owners of businesses and public establishments should be allowed to use these devices and therefore have the ability to choose if they want cell phone usage or not.
If people don't like the fact that their cell phone doesn't work in a particular bar, restaurant or theater, then they should take their business elsewhere.
There is no constitutional "right" to being allowed into bars or theaters and certainly no right to unlimited cell phone usage wherever you want.
Businesses have the right to refuse service to anyone so long as it's posted. So, they should be able to post that cell phones are not allowed in addition to jamming the signal. I mean, why not? It's a free country not just for cell phone users, but for business owners as well.
Also, for public safety, it wouldn't be a bad idea to allow hospitals, airports and other places with sensitive electronic equipment to install these devices as well.
Rick @ Nov 5th 2007 3:50PM
Cell phone jammers are illegal for a number of very good reasons.
Unapproved transmitting devices can not only block Chaty Kathy (which maybe nice and all), but may interfere with other, more important, wireless traffic. Business, emergency, and civil service lines could be blocked as well, and the person using the jammer may not even know what kind of damage is being caused.
Also, I'd hate to miss an important phone call because someone with no patience thought it was a great idea to block a good part of MY wireless communication lines because OTHERS are rude.
What happens if you missed a call from school, saying your kid was sick while you worked at the library? What about that important phone call about the car/house/big-ticket-item, but miss it because you finally figured out that your kid was sick, and you are NOW in a jammed area at school!?
Don't get me started on problems that could arise from 911 calls.
I'd hate to imagine how someone working in a S&P 500 company would like to find out that most of his or her calls were blocked at his hotel room because the jamming signal crossed over to his room from the church next store.
There are ways to deal with annoying cell phone users, but cutting off access to everyone like we are nothing but irresponsible kids isn't the answer... or at lest I hope it isn't the answer to today's problems.
Jim @ Nov 5th 2007 4:00PM
I want one,I hate these people that interfere with my space with their idiotic blabber !
donnie @ Nov 5th 2007 4:02PM
if people didn't abuse thier cell phones such as talking the entire they're driving, walking around stores just having conversations they should be having in private there wouldn't be much of a market for the jammers. If people used a little common sense and couristy when using their cells that would go along to solving the problem. I don't need to listen to someone talking about last nights party while I'm in a resturant or at the store. I have a cell which when I use it in public I try to be considerate of the people around me. Everything in moderation,what did people do before we had cells, if I remember correctly the world got along just fine without them. There's a time and place for everything.
doc @ Nov 5th 2007 4:03PM
everyone i find with a jammer will be FORCIBLY detained and turned over to the police. there is no possible legal use for a jammer.
Linda @ Nov 5th 2007 4:12PM
It was inevitable that something like this would be invented, but it's too dangerous to ever be legalized. All good inventions can be used for evil depending on the user. What if a woman tries to call for help when she's being stalked, but the stalker has one of these devices so she can't call the police? What if someone's being robbed, but the robber has this device so the victim can't call for help? And what if something deadly happens at a school and no one can use their cell phone because the shooter has this device? There are way too many situations where using this device can have deadly consequences. No one likes to hear a loud, yappy person in a theater, restaurant, etc., but a jamming device isn't the answer.
gbfld @ Nov 5th 2007 4:18PM
I'd pay $100 to interfere with my f......neighbour's TV.
Bob @ Nov 5th 2007 4:22PM
Hey Bierman. Take a hike you sniveling little geek.
seattlennw @ Nov 5th 2007 4:34PM
jessica, you may pay for your service but YOU don't have the RIGHT to disturb others with your jabber.