In the 2020s, GPS spoofing and jamming devices have become widespread, posing a significant challenge for businesses across the United States. Delivery drivers and long-haul truckers can disguise their locations for as little as $10, evading dispatchers’ scrutiny during unauthorized breaks. Teenagers use gps jammers to block parental tracking apps and cheat at games like Pokemon Go. Nefarious activities, including drug running and human trafficking, also exploit these devices to spoof border patrol drones. Dodgy freight companies even alter time stamps on cargo using GPS spoofers and jammers. While these activities violate Federal law, they are a reality we must face. The impact of these disruptions extends beyond their intended targets, affecting anyone using GPS in the surrounding area.
- How Does a GPS Jammer Work?
- Is Using GPS Signal Jammers Illegal?
- What Are the Consequences of GPS Signal Jamming?
- Do Drivers Want to Learn GPS Jamming Techniques?
- How Can I Detect if an Employee Is Utilizing a GPS Jammer?
- Should You Use GPS Jammers to Monitor Your Employees?
How Does a GPS Jammer Work?
GPS jammers are devices that transmit radio frequencies to block, jam, or interfere with GPS systems, disrupting navigation and tracking. These compact devices are easy to install, requiring only a simple plug into the car charger port and placement near the GPS tracker to effectively block the signal. With a fast power-up time of less than 30 seconds, GPS jammers and spoofers offer convenience and portability, allowing users to quickly conceal any evidence of misbehavior. This makes them appealing to those seeking to avoid tracking by employers, parents, or authorities, such as criminals, untrustworthy employees, or rebellious teenagers. Finding GPS jammers is effortless, as numerous websites, including the Jammer Store, offer these devices for purchase with a simple Google search.
Is Using GPS Signal Jammers Illegal?
Interfering with GPS devices is strictly prohibited by federal law in the US, which outlaws the operation, marketing, or sale of jamming equipment that disrupts authorized radio communications, including GPS. This prohibition exists for compelling reasons. Emergency services, such as medical aid, fire departments, and the police, heavily rely on GPS for their operations. Similarly, the military depends on uninterrupted GPS signals. Moreover, incidents of gps tracking interference by hackers from countries like China, Russia, and Iran in international shipments highlight the severity of the issue. While the chances of an employee taking a midday break being mistaken for a foreign agent are admittedly slim, the potential repercussions for both the individual and the business could be profound.
What Are the Consequences of GPS Signal Jamming?
Using a GPS jammer is considered illegal, yet not all who utilize them aim to conceal unlawful activities. Certain businesses, for instance, employ cell phone jammers to establish a serene environment, such as in movie theaters seeking to minimize cellphone distractions. However, the illegality of jammers, GPS jammers included, primarily stems from safety concerns. These devices have the potential to disrupt emergency services like 9-1-1, ambulances, firefighters, and police communications. Moreover, GPS jamming devices have been found to interfere with airplane navigation, posing significant risks. A notable example occurred in 2015 at Northeast Philadelphia Airport, where planes experienced GPS signal loss within a mile of the airport. The source was traced to a truck driver in a parking lot using a jammer to disable a tracking device on his vehicle, unaware of its illegality. Hence, while some may view jammers as a means to achieve specific goals, their widespread use can have serious and potentially dangerous consequences.
Using a gps jammer can lead to serious consequences. The FCC has been cracking down on these devices, confiscating and destroying them with sledgehammers. While one trucker was lucky to avoid a fine, many others have not been so fortunate. The risks of GPS jamming are real and can result in hefty penalties.
Do Drivers Want to Learn GPS Jamming Techniques?
The Federal Aviation Administration lodged a complaint with the FCC about signal interference from the GPS tracking system at Newark Liberty International Airport, following an aviation incident. Upon investigation, the FCC traced the disruption to a GPS jamming device used by Gary Bojczak to evade his employer’s tracking, leading to a $31,875 fine. These incidents raise questions about the prevalence and impact of GPS jamming among drivers. According to a 2012 UK study called the Sentinel Project, roadside monitors detected between 50 and 450 jamming instances daily across the country. Notably, nine out of ten of these jammers were operated by fleet drivers or truckers. Hence, it’s apparent that some drivers are actively using GPS jammers to block fleet tracking and other GPS devices, indicating a significant underlying issue.
A 2014 study by Rohde & Schwarz revealed a surprising finding on a major highway near Portland International Airport in Oregon: every 3rd or 4th truck was transmitting at the same frequency as GPS, indicating potential GPS tracking blockage. However, contrary to this, the US trucking association maintains that there’s no evidence suggesting widespread use of GPS jammers among truck drivers. Instead, the Sentinel project identified smaller vehicles, such as delivery, service, and taxi drivers, as the primary users of these devices. This difference could be attributed to truck drivers’ awareness of the regulations and penalties associated with using jamming devices to manipulate driving logs or evade employers.
How Can I Detect if an Employee Is Utilizing a GPS Jammer?
Employees attempting to use GPS jammers to disrupt fleet tracking systems will not remain undetected. While drivers may believe these illegal devices render them invisible, they actually draw more attention to suspicious behavior. GPS jamming activities are easily identified on live tracking or trip history maps, appearing as interrupted or missing trips. Even partial jamming during a trip leaves a trace, visible as a line from the jamming’s start to its end. Advanced GPS tracking devices are equipped with jamming detection, further enhancing transparency. Additionally, setting up exception rules to flag GPS signal faults and trigger alerts or emails at the onset of interference provides real-time notifications. Once GPS tampering is detected, employers can swiftly take disciplinary action, ensuring the integrity of their tracking system and maintaining a transparent work environment.
Identify GPS jammer use by monitoring employee devices. Record GPS jamming activities for disciplinary measures, including termination, ensuring prompt action against offending employees.
Should You Use GPS Jammers to Monitor Your Employees?
Employees often use GPS jammers to conceal their locations from the dispatch office during work hours, aware that they’re violating company policies. However, many don’t realize that this action also constitutes a breach of federal law. It’s crucial for workers to understand the gravity of using these devices, as the consequences can extend beyond mere job termination. The illegal use of GPS jammers can lead to serious legal repercussions.