Editorial: Cell phone jammers pose threat to society

A hot new gadget could bring peace and quiet into the lives of countless frustrated citizens.

And it's completely illegal.

Cell phone jammers, pocket-sized devices equipped to disrupt cellular calls within a small radius, are showing up in major metropolitan areas across the United States. It is illegal to own or sell them in the U.S., but the Internet has made it relatively simple for people to obtain them from overseas manufacturers. The technology may sound tempting, but the FCC has banned it for valid reasons.

For one, since the device works by producing a radio signal that interferes with cellular frequencies, its use amounts to property theft. The electromagnetic airspace has been deemed a public good, and thus one person does not have the right to commandeer it.

Cell phone jammers also have potential for more malicious uses. A jammer would be a powerful tool for someone who wants to halt 911 calls, leaving people isolated and helpless in predicaments such as murder and robbery. Even innocent uses of the device could prevent nearby people from making contact with emergency services.

Above all, cell jamming is a sign of saddening cultural trends. If we have gotten to the point where we cannot politely ask each other to be considerate in public places, then perhaps we need to reevaluate our dependence on technology. A simple tap on the shoulder may be all it takes to remind someone that they are being rude.

Airwave piracy, in contrast, is both anti-social and selfish.