Britain seeks views before it drops the hammer on signal jammers

Consultation launches

The UK government has opened a four-week call for evidence on radiofrequency jammers as it prepares legislation to curb the devices. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) says it wants a clearer picture of how jammers are being used in crime — not just in car thefts, but against home alarms, cell towers and emergency networks too. "This is an opportunity for the public and industry experts to have their say," telecoms minister Baroness Lloyd said, urging input so future measures are rooted in evidence.

Why the government is worried

DSIT warns that jammers could disrupt positioning, navigation and timing systems — the quiet backbone of modern commerce — and estimates a potential £7.62 billion hit to the economy if things go wrong. Who loses when phones and timing go dark? Everyone from commuters to hospitals. The department also notes legal headaches: the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 bans possession of illegal equipment, but proving someone used a jammer to interfere with a signal can be tricky, so lawmakers are looking at sharpened powers alongside the Crime and Policing Bill.

A history of crafty devices

It has been reported that some of the most notorious tools were allegedly built by a Bulgarian firm and hidden in the shells of old Game Boy Colors — a bizarre mash-up of retro gaming and high-tech mischief. West Yorkshire Police arrested suspects in 2021 amid claims devices were being sold for large sums and came pre-loaded to open dozens of car makes in seconds. The government believes these tools now account for a significant slice of vehicle thefts; other jammers found in burglaries have reportedly been disguised as everyday items like digital watches.

What happens next

Submissions opened today and run for four weeks; DSIT says the responses will help shape any future ban or tighter rules. Expect a noisy consultation — and likely a sharper legal toolkit afterward. Plenty of questions remain, though: who enforces it, how do you prove misuse, and can lawmakers stay one step ahead of the next crafty workaround? Tick-tock. The clock is running.

Sources: The Register