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FCC to Vote on Allowing Prisons to Jam Cellphone Signals
Key points
- FCC to vote on November 19th on prison cellphone jamming rules.
- Current law generally bans radiofrequency jammers.
- Prisons would need licenses and meet technical standards.
- Concerns exist regarding unintended consequences and censorship.
- FCC vote on November 19th is for state and local prisons and jails.
- Use of jammers would not be required for facilities.
- Federal Bureau of Prisons tested 'micro-jamming' in 2018.
FCC Considers New Jamming Rules
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced that the agency will vote on November 19th on proposed rules allowing prisons to use signal jamming technology. This technology would block cellphone signals within correctional facilities. Currently, radiofrequency jammers are largely prohibited under Section 333 and the Communications Act of 1934, with limited exceptions.
Rationale for the Change
Carr stated that the measure is necessary due to the prevalence of contraband cellphones in prisons. He claims these phones are used by inmates to coordinate criminal activities, including ordering hits and organizing gang operations. Some federal facilities already have permission to use such jamming equipment.
Concerns and Opposition
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez previously suggested a pilot program to assess the implications of jamming on surrounding areas, citing worries about unintended consequences if non-federal entities use jamming equipment. Additionally, incarcerated journalists argue that this initiative is a response to their use of contraband phones to report civil rights violations, which they claim led to a 2024 DOJ investigation into Georgia's prisons revealing "horrific and inhumane conditions."
Licensing and Technical Requirements
The FCC's proposal outlines a licensing process for prisons to acquire and operate jamming equipment. Eligible entities would be subject to technical standards and testing requirements. This includes initial testing under an experimental license to ensure no harmful interference outside designated areas, followed by post-license grant testing at the correctional facility before operations begin.
Updates
- FCC vote on November 19th is for state and local prisons and jails.
- Use of jammers would not be required for facilities.
- Federal Bureau of Prisons tested 'micro-jamming' in 2018.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will vote in November on a new rule that would permit state and local prisons and jails to use cellphone jammers. This policy reversal aims to prevent inmates from using illegal cellphones for criminal activity, potentially expanding a practice previously tested in federal prisons.
The FCC will vote on November 19th on rules to permit prisons to use radiofrequency jammers to block contraband cellphones. This move aims to prevent inmates from using phones for criminal activities, but raises concerns about potential unintended consequences and censorship of reports on prison conditions.