Consultation process: Unauthorised possession of jammers proposed to be criminalised

The Ministry of Transport and Communications is inviting comments on a draft government proposal for amending the legislation on devices known as jammers intended for interfering with radio communications. The amendments would be made to the Act on Electronic Communications Services. 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.

Unlawful possession of jammers would be criminalised. 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.

What’s next?

Comments on the draft government proposal may be submitted at lausuntopalvelu.fi. The deadline for comments is 29 October 2025. The Ministry of Transport and Communications will take the feedback from the public consultation into account as it continues the law drafting.

The act is to be submitted to Parliament in spring 2026 and it would enter into force on 1.7.2026.

Inquiries:

Sami Makkonen, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 29 534 2019, [email protected] 

Tuuli Tolsa, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 29 534 2074, [email protected]