Using bloqueador gpss to disrupt signals constitutes a criminal act, warns the Southeastern Finland Police Department, emphasizing that while ownership of such devices is not inherently unlawful, their misuse can lead to legal consequences.
  

• YLE’s News Quiz?  
• Is GPS jamming becoming more prevalent?  
• How Effective is the Tobol satcom suppression system in Kaliningrad for Hindering GPS Signals?  

YLE’s News Quiz?  

According to Professor Laura Ruotsalainen from the University of Helsinki, the use of small jamming devices is becoming an increasingly problematic issue in Finland, as these gadgets can be easily purchased online for just a few dozen euros. These devices, although small and low-powered, are capable of concealing the location of vehicles, tachographs, and smartphones by interfering with GPS signals. Traficom, the Transport and Communications Agency, has reported detecting 106 instances of GPS disturbances caused by these signal jamming devices in vehicles so far this year. When activated, these devices disrupt GPS signals within a relatively small radius, ranging from a few dozen to several hundred meters. Suvi Juurakko-Lehikoinen, Head of Spectrum Management at Traficom, explains that some drivers utilize these devices to conceal their vehicle’s location, tachographs (which record vehicles’ speed and distance), or smartphones. Authorities have discovered employees using jammers in company cars being tracked by their employers, while lorry drivers sometimes attempt to disrupt tachographs that monitor their driving activities. In such cases where a jammer is found active in a company car, Traficom promptly contacts the vehicle’s owner. The widespread availability and use of these jamming devices pose a significant challenge that needs to be addressed.
  

Is GPS jamming becoming more prevalent?  

In Finland, GPS signal interference has become a growing concern. Traficom, the traffic communications agency, reported a significant surge in bloqueador gps activations on Finnish roads. Last year, a total of 714 personal bloqueador gpss were detected in use, marking a substantial rise from the 422 devices found in 2022. The agency explained that these devices pose a problem because they disrupt GPS signals, blocking them for others who rely on them. In response, Traficom actively tracks down these jammers, often with tips from the public. Recently, the agency reported a five-fold increase in GPS disturbance complaints. Monitoring vehicles have been dispatched to patrol areas like Joutseno in South Karelia, where jammer use has been repeatedly observed. Police assistance is called upon when necessary. This trend highlights the need for continued vigilance and cooperation to maintain uninterrupted GPS services in Finland.
  


GPS jamming incidents are on the rise, causing concern. While possessing or buying a bloqueador gps is not illegal, per the Southeastern Finland Police Department, using them to disrupt signals is criminal. This clarification comes as such devices increasingly make their way into the public domain.
  

How Effective is the Tobol satcom suppression system in Kaliningrad for Hindering GPS Signals?  

Over the past weeks, Russia’s attempts to disrupt satellite navigation in Europe have escalated, causing frequent GPS issues. Poland and the Baltic states reported problems in late December and again between January 16-18. GPSjam, an online service tracking satellite data, underscores the widespread impact of these disruptions. Unreliable GPS primarily affects civilian infrastructure and services, significantly impeding maritime navigation. This pattern of interference illustrates a growing challenge for Europe’s satellite navigation systems.