Blocking GPS Tracking Signal – FCC Legal Implications
Summary
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GPS Jamming Devices: Are signal disrupting devices that block or confuse GPS tracking signals, preventing people from knowing your location.
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Blocking Methods:
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Airplane Mode: Disables GPS temporarily.
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VPN: Masks IP address.
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GPS Spoofing Apps: Fake location.
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GPS Signal Jammers: Block signals but are illegal.
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Covering with Metal: Can obstruct signals.
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Parking Underground: Going below ground in a parking garage blocks the signal.
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Are They Legal: Yes, they are legal to purchase? However, they may be illegal depending on how you use them and your local laws.
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Legal Risks:
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Hefty Fines: Up to tens of thousands of dollars.
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Seizure of Equipment: Illegal devices can be confiscated.
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Criminal Sanctions: Potential imprisonment.
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Real-Life Cases: Several people have received hefty fines for destroying GPS trackers on their cars or using devices that have disrupted other vehicle navigation systems in their areas.
Welcome to our complete guide on blocking GPS trackers on your car.
If you’re worried that someone is trying to track your location without your consent, we’re going to show you how to jam the signal and take back your privacy and security.
Don’t worry, this is a lot easier than you think it is.
We’ve been in the GPS tracking game for a long time. And we’ve been on BOTH SIDES - tracking people’s locations and blocking unethical vehicle tracking.
For every clever “trick” those stalkers think they have, we have an even better countermeasure.
It’s time to take back control of your personal safety and privacy. Let’s start jamming some signals!
7 Ways How To Confuse A GPS Tracking Device In Your Phone Or Car
#1) Turn on Airplane Mode
Turning on airplane mode temporarily disables all connections. If a person or company is tracking your whereabouts via an app installed on your phone - problem solved!
If someone has access to your phone - like a parent, ex-partner, or boss - they may have installed tracking software that shows them exactly where you are. With airplane mode on, they’ll have no idea.
#2) Unplug the Tracking Device
Unplugging the GPS tracker seems obvious, but we’ll mention it anyway.
Manually inspect your vehicle under the hood, inside the dash, the OBD-2 port, and anywhere else like under the vehicle or in the trunk. If you find a tracker, unplug it, remove it, or cover it in something that jams the signal.
This will immediately destroy its ability to track your location. The problem here is that if the tracker is there for a legitimate purpose - such as tracking the location of a rental vehicle - you may be in violation of the law or rental agreement. Please proceed with caution and check your local laws.
#3) Use a VPN
Using a VPN helps mask your phone's IP address and location, making it harder for anyone to track you online. While a VPN doesn’t directly block GPS signals, it can confuse apps and websites that rely on your IP address to pinpoint your location. This can be especially helpful if you're trying to keep your location private, as it adds another layer of security. Essentially, a VPN makes it tougher for trackers to figure out where you are.
The best part? Some VPN apps are totally free!
#4) Install a GPS Spoofing App
Installing GPS spoofing apps allows you to fake your phone’s location by tricking apps and services into thinking you’re somewhere else. These apps work by manipulating your phone’s GPS data, making it appear as if you’re at a different location than you actually are. This can be useful for protecting your privacy or accessing location-based services without revealing your real whereabouts.
A few popular GPS spoofing apps include Fake GPS Location - GPS Joystick, Mock GPS with Joystick, and Fake GPS GO Location Spoofer. These apps are easy to use and offer customizable options for setting your fake location.
#5) Wrapping Foil
Now we’re going old school - wrapping foil jams the GPS tracker so it can’t send a signal.
This is only a temporary fix, and again, it may be against the law if the tracker is there for a legitimate reason. But if you’re in need of a quick fix, then this will do the trick.
#6) Park Underground
GPS tracking gadgets usually need a clear line to the sky to connect with the satellite network and show your location. If you think you’re being watched remotely, just park the car where there’s enough covering to block the signal out. An underground parking garage is the perfect place.
#7) Use a GPS Signal Jammer or Blocker
Using a GPS signal jammer or blocker is a way to stop anyone from tracking your location. These devices work by sending out signals that interfere with the GPS signals around you, making it hard for trackers to figure out where you are.
However, keep in mind that using these devices might be illegal in some areas because they can mess with other people's navigation and emergency services. Always check the rules before using one.
What Is A GPS Jamming Device – A Simple Explanation
A GPS jammer is a device engineered to disrupt the reception and transmission of GPS signals from real-time GPS trackers.
Imagine it creating a digital bubble around your vehicle, extending up to 500 meters, which interferes with any GPS tracker’s ability to send or receive signals.
Some GPS jammers can even block mobile phone communication (GSM) used for transmitting location data.
Currently, they are in a bit of a legal gray area.
One issue with GPS jammers is that they help make it easier for thieves to steal cars, because they prevent stolen vehicles from being tracked.
They also help employees who want more privacy, because they stall location tracking devices on their vehicles or phones that the company is using to monitor their location and driving habits.
However, doing so can have serious legal consequences, which we will discuss later.
Here’s a good explanation of how they work from one expert in the field…
“GPS signals cannot penetrate concrete or metal that is why when vehicles go into underground parking structures they will fall off the digital mapping programs used to observe data from real-time GPS trackers”, a fleet tracking expert at GPS Tracker Shop stated. “This same type of phenomenon is what occurs when a person uses a GPS jamming device, the automobile simply vanishes from the digital mapping program.”
Are GPS Jammers Legal?
Using GPS jamming equipment is illegal in most places, but purchasing such equipment is still totally legal.
Making the situation worse is that accessing such equipment has gotten easier and easier for criminals. The online market is now saturated with GPS jamming devices manufactured overseas in places like China and Russia.
In fact, some Russian-engineered GPS car tracking device jammers are said to be so powerful that they have the ability to block GPS signals as far out as 100 kilometers!
The biggest issue in terms of the legality of these devices is that they can unintentionally interfere with other drivers around you or even with planes landing in the local area (ever wondered why you need to turn on flight mode when landing? Now you know!).
Blocking GPS Tracking Signals – FCC Legal Implications
It’s important to understand the legal consequences of potentially using a GPS jamming device.
If it’s for personal purposes, such as protecting your privacy from someone who is following you, then it MIGHT be OK - depending on the circumstances. The problem is that jamming devices can often have negative effects on vehicles around you. Even if you aren’t intending to do anyone any harm, you still might.
On the other hand, if you’re using one to block the signal of a legally placed location tracker - such as on a company vehicle - you could face serious consequences such as losing your job, fines, or even criminal penalties.
A few of the implications you must consider are:
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Substantial monetary fines: The FCC can impose hefty fines on individuals caught using GPS jammers, sometimes reaching up to tens of thousands of dollars.
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Seizure of the jamming equipment: The authorities can confiscate the illegal GPS jamming devices as part of the penalties.
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Criminal sanctions including imprisonment: In some cases, using GPS jammers can lead to imprisonment, especially if the device caused significant harm or disruption.
Real-World Examples of Using GPS Jammers Leading to Legal Consequences
In 2013, the FCC fined a New Jersey truck driver $32,000 for using a GPS jammer to block his employer’s tracking system. The jammer also interfered with the FAA’s air traffic control system at Newark Liberty International Airport, causing significant disruptions and safety concerns.
In 2011, the FCC fined Gary P. Bojczak $31,875 for operating a GPS jammer in his vehicle. Bojczak used the jammer to block his employer’s GPS tracking system, but it also interfered with a GPS-based aircraft navigation system at Newark Liberty International Airport.
In 2012, the FCC fined Jason R. Humphreys $48,000 for using a GPS and cell phone jammer during his daily commute. Humphreys’ jammer disrupted cell phone service and GPS signals along a Florida highway, causing issues for other drivers and law enforcement.
In 2013, the FCC fined CTS Technology, a Chinese electronics manufacturer, $34.9 million for marketing and selling GPS and cell phone jammers to US customers. This case highlights the FCC’s efforts to combat the sale and distribution of illegal jamming devices
