Jammers Still Illegal

Starting in 2001, Industry Canada held public consultations into broadening the use of radio frequency jamming devices. These devices can block wireless communications services and eliminate the ringing and/or operation of cell phones in a variety of public and private environments.

The majority of participants in the consultation, including the Canada Safety Council, opposed the legalization of these devices. The arguments for continuing the existing restricted use policy included that wide availability could: compromise public safety, such as 911 calls; impede personal freedoms, for example the ability to receive important phone calls; and, impair communications for law enforcement and security agencies. (After the events of September 11 the reasons become even more cogent.) As a result Industry Canada has concluded that the prohibition against possession and use of these devices should remain unchanged.