Amazon and other retailers are being investigated for selling illegal wireless signal...

[midian182]

In brief: Amazon and other retailers are being investigated by the FCC over allegations that they market and sell unlawful electronic devices designed to block or disrupt signals sent by other electronics. It follows an investigation into the sale of radio frequency jammers, which are advertised as drone deterrents or privacy tools.

Earlier this week, NBC News investigated the number of retailers offering radio frequency jammers despite them being illegal to sell and operate in the United States.

According to the FCC, 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, police radar, and global positioning systems. There are no exemptions for use within a business, classroom, residence, or vehicle, and local law enforcement agencies do not have independent authority to use jamming equipment.

A portable cell phone & Wi-Fi jammer

NBC said it found nine independent sellers on Amazon selling the jammers, as well as online stores based in China and domestic companies selling drone-related equipment. A Minnesota-based company was offering a portable anti-drone "RF jamming unit" for $2,999 on its website, supplied by China-based company Tatusky. The device is described as resembling a shotgun, easy to use, and with a 1-2 kilometer (0.6 – 1.2 mile) range.

Following the investigation, Jonathan Uriarte, Director of Strategic Communications at the FCC, said that the agency is investigating Amazon and other retailers for potential violations of Commission rules related to the sale and marketing of equipment without proper FCC authorization.

It was reported last month that police in Minnesota were warning people of burglars who have been using Wi-Fi jammers to temporarily disable homeowners' connected security systems, including surveillance cameras. These jammers don't actually block signals, but overload the wireless networks so the real traffic cannot get through to the devices. While this was a spate of similar incidents stretching over six months, jammers have been used by criminals for years to circumvent the likes of Ring video doorbells.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/102348-fcc-investigating-amazon-others-allegedly-selling-illegal-wireless.html

 

[Dr Roboto]

"nine INDEPENDENT sellers on Amazon": If they are independent, does Amazon get the same protection as Social Media companies that are not responsible for the content on their sites? I am not picking a side, but some how social media is not responsible for what people post. Why would Amazon be responsible for independent sellers? How is this different?

 

[erickmendes]

New Helldivers 2 plasma cannon

 

[waclark]

"nine INDEPENDENT sellers on Amazon": If they are independent, does Amazon get the same protection as Social Media companies that are not responsible for the content on their sites? I am not picking a side, but somehow social media is not responsible for what people post. Why would Amazon be responsible for independent sellers? How is this different?

Great question and I'm not sure I know the answer, however, what I know about social media/web blogs et al is that they are protected because they are "theoretically" not the publisher of the content. They are only the hosting company.

In the case of a physical product like Amazon and other retailers sell, it's similar in that if you buy a product from Amazon and it's faulty in some way, perhaps even dangerous, it's the seller/manufacturer who is responsible not Amazon. Now, if you could prove that Amazon knew the product was faulty (due to high number of returns) or illegal for some reason, you might make a case against them.

 

[bgrantham]

I have had multiple instances of my Ring devices not picking up Amazon deliveries. I have reported this anomaly to the Ring customer service. I wonder if NBC news is investigating Amazon drivers using wi-fi jamming equipment as well?

 

[Che Cazzo]

Isn't that the BFG gun from Doom?? If not, it should be!!

 

[Underdog]

If I can't use a jammer to block drone activity/spying/etc. I will just have to dust off my 12 bore and do it the hard way. The range ain't so good but at least it will be fun.

 

[UdyrL]

"nine INDEPENDENT sellers on Amazon": If they are independent, does Amazon get the same protection as Social Media companies that are not responsible for the content on their sites? I am not picking a side, but some how social media is not responsible for what people post. Why would Amazon be responsible for independent sellers? How is this different?

In the case of social media, if someone posts illegal content, the content is removed and the poster is penalized (if applicable).

AZ, as a storefront should not allow any illegal product on their platform. They should have controls/moderation of the products being sold. I'm pretty sure if anyone tried to sell illegal drugs (for example), AZ would remove that immediately.

 

[maxxcool7421]

Only dumbasses are buying jamming gear from amazon. cheaper to build your own, or pay a fledgling school-debt ridden engineer to build one or just buy one from one of one hundred eastern markets who don't give two poops about what they sell

 

[brucek]

I am not picking a side, but some how social media is not responsible for what people post. Why would Amazon be responsible for independent sellers? How is this different?

One is speech, and one is commerce. Amazon is actively involved in taking the order and often in shipping the goods. Different chapters of the rulebook.