The Federal Communications Commission said Wednesday it is investigating Amazon and other retailers for alleged marketing and sale of wireless signal jammers.
Wireless devices that intentionally block or interfere with signals emitted by other legal electronic devices, such as cell phones and GPS devices, are illegal to use, sell or advertise to U.S. consumers.
The FCC's action coincides with an NBC News investigation that found devices sold by more than a dozen different companies interfere with authorized communications systems by emitting competing radio signals. These so-called radio frequency jammers can be used to block Wi-Fi networks or disable security cameras or unmanned aerial systems (UAS, also known as drones).
Radio frequency jammers can interfere with licensed radio communications services, including public safety services and networks. Such jammers are expressly prohibited from marketing or sale in the U.S. under federal law and FCC rules.
In a rare public statement confirming the investigation, FCC spokesman Will Wiquist said the FCC is "conducting several investigations into retailers, including Amazon, that may have violated Commission rules by marketing and selling devices without proper FCC authorization."
Wiquist did not specify which other retailers were involved in the investigation. NBC News first reported the investigation after reporting on what appeared to be signal jammers available for use on the Amazon marketplace.
Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
[source:cnn]