[LINK] Jamming GPS seems to be pretty easy

[Kim Holburn]

Seems like these guys are just jamming their own cabs.  That'd be fraud I guess but it would also be possible, I would think, to jam your own cab devices without radiating too much outside the cab.  

It's a bit sad that we are getting so dependent on GPS that jamming it is a major crime.  I mean I suppose I can see the problems when  aircraft are involved.  Even so don't people actually pilot aircraft themselves any more?  Don't they have backup sensors, eyes etc?  


On 2014/Jan/09, at 2:49 PM, Roger Clarke wrote:

> 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:Roger.Clarke at xamax.com.au                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
> _______________________________________________
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-- 
Kim Holburn
IT Network & Security Consultant
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