[EAS] Amateur & Personal Radio Users Reminded Not to Use Radios in Crimes

[Sean Donelan]

https://www.fcc.gov/document/amateur-personal-radio-users-reminded-not-use-radios-crimes

The Enforcement Bureau (Bureau) of the Federal Communications Commission 
issues this Enforcement Advisory to remind licensees in the Amateur Radio 
Service, as well as licensees and operators in the Personal Radio 
Services, that the Commission prohibits the use of radios in those 
services to commit or facilitate criminal acts.

The Bureau has become aware of discussions on social media platforms 
suggesting that certain radio services regulated by the Commission may be 
an alternative to social media platforms for groups to communicate and 
coordinate future activities. The Bureau recognizes that these
services can be used for a wide range of permitted purposes, including 
speech that is protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. 
Constitution. Amateur and Personal Radio Services, however, may not be 
used to commit or facilitate crimes.

Specifically, the Bureau reminds amateur licensees that they are 
prohibited from transmitting "communications intended to facilitate a 
criminal act" or "messages encoded for the purpose of obscuring their 
meaning." Likewise, individuals operating radios in the Personal Radio
Services, a category that includes Citizens Band radios, Family Radio 
Service walkie-talkies, and General Mobile Radio Service, are prohibited 
from using those radios "in connection with any activity which is against 
Federal, State or local law." Individuals using radios in the Amateur or
Personal Radio Services in this manner may be subject to severe penalties, 
including significant fines, seizure of the offending equipment, and, in 
some cases, criminal prosecution.