The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has observed a rise in the sale of "jammers" - gadgets capable of disrupting cell phone calls, text messages, Wi-Fi networks, and GPS systems - which could pose a threat to public safety.
The small, battery-powered devices can be used to create "dead zones" within a small area, usually 30 feet or so, and have been used by movie theaters, restaurants, and schools to keep people off their cell phones. But they also cut off 911 calls, can disrupt navigation near airports, and have been used near police stations to interrupt radio communications. Officials at the FCC say they've noticed an increasing number of jammers, which are banned by federal law, coming into the country. Many cheaper versions, which sell for as little as $25, are imported from Asia, according to the agency..