Melbourne cabbie fined over GPS jammer Ry Crozier itNews Jan 9, 2014 1:21 PM (1 hour ago) http://www.itnews.com.au/News/369108,melbourne-cabbie-fined-over-gps-jammer.aspx
Radio comms could be blocked in fight for passengers. A Melbourne taxi driver has been fined $850 after pleading guilty to using a GPS jammer. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) - which regulates spectrum usage in Australia - noted the Magistrates Court conviction in a brief blog post today: [ http://www.acma.gov.au/Citizen/Consumer-info/All-about-spectrum/High-risk-devices/taxi-driver-convicted [>The potential consequences of GPS jammer use are serious. They can substantially degrade or disrupt critical military and civilian applications by blocking radiocommunications signals used for the radionavigation-satellite service. [> http://www.acma.gov.au/Citizen/Consumer-info/All-about-spectrum/What-is-it-and-why-you-need-it/devices-prohibited-by-the-acma#rnss The conviction appears to be the result of a sting by the ACMA and Victorian Taxi Services Commission that was carried out at Melbourne city and airport taxi ranks in early-to-mid 2013. The two-stage joint operation saw ACMA inspectors set up a spectrum analyser near taxi ranks and speak to around 300 drivers about the issue of GPS jamming. Two drivers were reportedly charged with breaking radiocommunications laws. Both were due to face court last month. Other drivers were "reprimanded" or "given their marching orders", according a Herald Sun report. Allegations of jammer use among Melbourne cabbies were aired back in 2012. [ http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-15/melbourne-cabbie-lifts-lid-on-fare-scam/4131258 [From July 2012, i.e. 18 months to get a Magistrates' Court conviction and fine.] The devices are said to be used by drivers to mask the location of the cab, allowing them to get a job even if they are not in the area. The ACMA said that jammer usage offences are "not trivial", nor are the potential consequences which include six-figure fines and jail time. [Radiocommunications Act ss. 189-201, esp. s.197 [ http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ra1992218/ The regulator is concerned that unauthorised jammer usage could disrupt military or civilian radio communications networks. It will continue to target GPS jammer usage under its compliance regime for 2013-14. -- Roger Clarke http://www.rogerclarke.com/ Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd 78 Sidaway St, Chapman ACT 2611 AUSTRALIA Tel: +61 2 6288 6916 http://about.me/roger.clarke mailto:[email protected] http://www.xamax.com.au/ Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Law University of N.S.W. Visiting Professor in Computer Science Australian National University _______________________________________________ Link mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.anu.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/link
