Amazon and other online retailers are facing an investigation from the Federal Communications Commission over allegations of marketing and selling of illegal wireless signal jammers.
In a statement on Wednesday via NBC News, FCC spokesperson Will Wiquist announced an ongoing investigation for "potential violations of Commission rules related to the marketing and sale of equipment without proper FCC authorization."
Wiquist did not disclose what other retailers are being investigated, although NBC News earlier noted that third-party sellers and online stores based in China are selling signal jammers to US customers.
The FCC prohibits the manufacture, use, advertisement, and sale of signal jammers in the US for its potential to "interfere with authorized radio communications" and emergency calls.
The agency warned that jamming devices pose "significant risks to public safety" and compromise cell phone communications.
Reports of the investigation on Amazon and other retailers follow after the FCC launched a separate investigation on US-made phones receiving foreign signals.
Third-Party Sellers Marketing Hack-Prone, Illegal Security Devices on Amazon: Reports
Amazon, Temu, and other online e-commerce platforms have earlier been noted as allowing hack-prone or unauthorized devices on their site, according to digital products watchdog Consumer Reports.
The report cited flawed video doorbells that allow third parties to access the camera's live footage, the owner's IP address, and WiFi details.
Many of the products reported also came from China or Chinese-affiliated companies operating in the US. Most of the flawed video doorbells lack the required FCC approval seal.
More worrying, several of the vulnerable products initially had "Amazon's Choice: Overall Pick" tag as proof of their quality.
This is not to count for the dozens of third-party sellers caught marketing stolen products on the platform despite Amazon's policies against it.
Related Article : Amazon, Temu are Selling Hack Prone Video Doorbells, Researchers Say
How to Verify Product Safety on Online Stores?
The best way to ensure a device's quality on online retail platforms like Amazon is to look for an FCC approval or other seal of quality from other authorized agencies.
Since the platform's own quality tags are still prone to allowing defected products to pass on its assessments, it is better to check reviews from trusted consumer watchdogs before buying said devices.
