DHS Warns of Sharp Rise in Chinese-Made Signal Jammers (theregister.com)
(Friday June 20, 2025 @05:50PM (msmash)
from the PSA dept.)
- Reference: 0178121373
- News link: https://news.slashdot.org/story/25/06/20/1957244/dhs-warns-of-sharp-rise-in-chinese-made-signal-jammers
- Source link: https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/20/dhs_issues_warning_about_influx/
The Department of Homeland Security is concerned about the rate at which outlawed signal-jamming devices are [1]being found across the US . From a report:
> In a warning issued on Wednesday, it said it has seen an 830 percent increase in seizures of these signal jammers since 2021, specifically those made in China. Signal-jamming devices are outlawed in the US, mainly because they can interfere with communications between emergency services and law enforcement.
>
> While the Communications Act of 1934 effectively prohibits such devices, signal jammers of the type DHS is concerned about have only circulated in the last 20 to 30 years. Authorities have paid special attention to relay attack devices in recent years -- the types of hardware that can be used to clone signals used by systems such as remote car keys, although the first examples of these devices date back to the 1980s.
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/20/dhs_issues_warning_about_influx/
> In a warning issued on Wednesday, it said it has seen an 830 percent increase in seizures of these signal jammers since 2021, specifically those made in China. Signal-jamming devices are outlawed in the US, mainly because they can interfere with communications between emergency services and law enforcement.
>
> While the Communications Act of 1934 effectively prohibits such devices, signal jammers of the type DHS is concerned about have only circulated in the last 20 to 30 years. Authorities have paid special attention to relay attack devices in recent years -- the types of hardware that can be used to clone signals used by systems such as remote car keys, although the first examples of these devices date back to the 1980s.
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/20/dhs_issues_warning_about_influx/
I want one soooo bad!! (Score:3, Interesting)
by registrations_suck ( 1075251 )
I really want one. But I fear my government ):
Cheap camera jammers (Score:4, Insightful)
The rise in the use of signal jammers is due in no small part to the popularity of WiFi-connected security cameras. For example, signal jammers are very popular tools among professional burglary rings. They've hit multiple homes in the pricier areas of the county I live in.
Companies like Ring have been very successful in convincing consumers that "Ring = home security", when in fact Ring cameras are a terrible choice due to the fact that they must have a WiFi connection in order to operate. The burglars scout out pricey homes in neighborhoods where no one ever talks to their neighbors, and houses are isolated by distance, foliage, and fences. And it just so happens that the owners installed Ring cameras.
So the burglars drive up, activate their jammers to knock out both the Ring cameras and the cell connection for any burglar alarm, then clean the place out. Even if an alarm goes off, chances are that no one will hear it, or call the police if they do.
If you're truly serious about video security, you need hardwired cameras with onsite storage and battery backup. You might still get robbed, but at least you'll have something to show the police.
Re: (Score:3)
Since wifi and bluetooth use the same frequency it would be great to fire up a jammer for when people walk by carrying those enormous bluetooth speakers.
Re: (Score:1)
I solve this problem by not having much at home that's worth stealing.
There's SOME stuff, but really, not that much. They'd get maybe $2000 selling my shit to someone. Not the end of the world for me.
Re: (Score:2)
> pricey homes in neighborhoods where no one ever talks to their neighbors, and houses are isolated by distance, foliage, and fences.
I've lived all over, in all sorts of dwellings and properties. At the moment, I'm in the sort of neighborhood you have in mind.
FYI: On large properties — when you have private roads, culverts, shared fences lines, trees and other growth, property line issues, etc. — you do have to interact with neighbors. Repairs, maintenance and other issues come up, and this has to be coordinated with neighbors. Properties are often unoccupied, and neighbors rely on each other to deal with things. In the