Britain seeks views before it drops the hammer on signal jammers

Four-week call for evidence intended to help shape laws aimed at devices linked to crime

The UK government is seeking views on radiofrequency jammers as it prepares legislation to ban the controversial devices.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) announced Friday that the government is seeking a deeper understanding of how signal-jamming devices are being used across a range of criminal activities.

Previous communications regarding plans to ban the devices have largely focused on how they can facilitate car thefts.

Today's announcement signals the government's concerns extend well beyond that, citing threats to home security systems and critical public infrastructure, including cell towers that support mobile and emergency service networks.

More seriously, DSIT warned that signal jammers could disrupt positioning, navigation, and timing systems. This is a scenario that could threaten jobs, businesses, and livelihoods, and deal an estimated £7.62 billion ($10.2 billion) blow to the economy.

"We are stepping up efforts to stop the illegal use of jamming devices, which are threatening not only our daily lives, but also our vital public services across the country," said telecoms minister Baroness Lloyd.

"This is an opportunity for the public and industry experts to have their say on how we safeguard our homes, businesses, transport networks, and more from those seeking to exploit these technologies.

"By gathering a broad range of informed opinions, we can make sure any future measures we introduce are rooted in evidence and address the real issues people are facing."

The Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006, the current legislation governing jammers, bans possession of illegal equipment, but DSIT said proving an individual used a jamming device to interfere with a signal can be difficult.

The upcoming Crime and Policing Bill, currently in the final stages of passing through Parliament, is the relevant lever lawmakers intend to pull when prosecuting car thefts facilitated by jammers.

However, the findings from today's call for evidence will inform any future legislation concerning jamming technology, DSIT said.

Submissions open today and will run for four weeks.

Years in the making

The UK government has had its eye on radiofrequency jammers as a crime issue since at least 2020 and potentially over a decade, although it only announced its intention to ban them and keyless repeaters last year.

According to reports at the time, the devices were allegedly cobbled together by Bulgarian company SOS Autokeys and shoved into the housing of old Game Boy Colors before being sold for thousands to carjacking crews across Europe.

West Yorkshire Police arrested several suspects back in 2021, saying the devices were purchased for around £20,000 ($30,000).

They came pre-loaded with the tools and software required to open up cars manufactured by the likes of Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Genesis in seconds.

The UK government believes that around 40 percent of all car thefts are carried out using this kind of technology.

DSIT said today that other types of jammers found in the UK and used in burglaries can be disguised as "everyday tech like digital watches."

The US Department of Homeland Security expressed concern last year about a surge in Chinese-made signal jammers being found across the country, reporting an 830 percent increase in device seizures. ®