The government has taken an initiative to amend the Electronic Communications Services Act with the provision for considering unlawful possession of jammers as a criminal act.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications invited comments on a draft government proposal for amending the legislation on devices known as jammers intended for interfering with radio communications, said the Ministry in a press release on Thursday.
Comments may be submitted until 29 October 2025.
Under the draft proposal, provisions on devices that jam or falsify radio communications are to be amended.
Radio communications are used, for example, by mobile communications networks and satellite positioning systems, such as GPS.
Currently, jammers are considered to be radio transmitters, whose possession is subject to permit.
The proposal introduces a distinct definition for jammers, separate from radio transmitters.
This would allow stricter regulation for jammers. Criminalising the unlawful possession of jammers would, for example, improve the authorities’ options to intervene in the import of such devices.
The authorities’ and other legitimate parties’ right to use such devices in the performance of their duties would be clarified.
In future, if certain conditions are met, the possession and use of jammers for research and product development would be permitted under a licence.
In the draft proposal, the inspection rights of the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom are suggested to be changed.
The act will be submitted to Parliament in spring 2026 and it would enter into force on July 1, 2026.
- Jammer
- Possession
- Restrictions
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
