Questions tagged [communications-law]
27 questions
36
votes
1 answer
Sticker on caption phone says that using the captions can be illegal. Why?
I was testing donated electronics at a local non-profit, to decide what to put on the shelves and what to recycle, when I found this:
Federal law prohibits anyone but registered users with hearing loss
from using this device with Captions On.
I…
AaronD
- 559
- 1
- 4
- 7
12
votes
3 answers
Can listening to a song be illegal?
In May 2025, Kanye West released a song called "Heil Hitler" in which he says "All my n***as Nazis, n***a, heil Hitler."
In the UK, would listening to this song be criminalised in relation to extremist ideologies?
Not sure what the law is…
user86694
10
votes
3 answers
Is deliberate radio interference a crime?
I know that it is forbidden by FCC regulations to deliberately interfere with radio communications, but is it a crime?
Someone
- 17,523
- 13
- 96
- 197
9
votes
1 answer
What is the standard of proof for violations of the amateur radio regulations?
What is the standard of proof for violations of 47 CFR 97, the amateur (ham) radio regulations? Is it preponderance of the evidence or beyond reasonable doubt?
Someone
- 17,523
- 13
- 96
- 197
5
votes
2 answers
Can phone companies or messaging apps censor speech?
In the US, could a phone company, theoretically, suppress certain kinds of speech by censoring certain words or phrases as they’re being transmitted over the phone company’s infrastructure? In order to set aside privacy issues, let's say we’re…
Mr. Cooperman
- 173
- 5
3
votes
1 answer
Is a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) connection a phone call by legal definition?
Is a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) considered a phone call by legal definition? As such, could I use state laws such as Washington State RCW 9.61, for instance, to pursue civil action against someone who say disrupts, convludes, degrades, or…
Chezzwizz
- 127
- 6
3
votes
3 answers
Does acceptance of communication with identifying characteristics originating from a disputed territory imply recognition of that territory?
To give an example:
One of the more well known currently disputed territories is Crimea. As telecommunication services, and users of such, do continue to operate from that territory under the aegis of a Russian persona, (like a Crimean based website…
M. Y. Zuo
- 352
- 1
- 10
3
votes
5 answers
"Impersonating" a government agent for an Alternate Reality Game
Say I'm creating an alternate reality game where I want players to be contacted by an FBI agent through email. Ideally, in order for players to remain immersed, the email would appear to be actual communication from a real FBI agent. Since players…
crass_sandwich
- 133
- 3
2
votes
1 answer
Can people build a radio station/transmitter without amateur radio license in Canada?
Consider only Canada law:
Suppose someone has no amateur radio license, can he build a radio transmitter?
Suppose someone has amateur radio license, can he build a radio transmitter?
If people want to build a radio transmitter by their own, what to…
gx16
- 23
- 2
2
votes
2 answers
What constitutes "management" for an amateur radio club?
A group of licensed radio amateurs has joined together to form a club. The club meets monthly, sponsors classes to license new amateurs, hosts an amateur repeater station and operates at public events. The club has bylaws and is a 501(c)(3) entity.…
Brian K1LI
- 123
- 4
1
vote
3 answers
Is deliberate radio interference justified in self-defense or defense of others?
Deliberate radio interference is normally, if not always, illegal. Is self-defense or defense of others a valid justification? If Alice hears Bob and Bill using radio to plan a violent crime, is it legal for her to jam their signals? If disrupting…
Someone
- 17,523
- 13
- 96
- 197
1
vote
1 answer
Does the First Amendment apply to amateur radio?
Is speech over amateur radio constitutionally protected?
Could I theoretically sue the FCC for the right to broadcast music on 20 meters, and have a chance of winning on free speech grounds?
If the FCC made a rule, at the direction of Congress,…
Someone
- 17,523
- 13
- 96
- 197
1
vote
2 answers
Does Payola apply to Spotify and related services?
If someone paid a Playlist Curator to host music on the curator's playlist, without any disclosure of the payment, would that be illegal?
US Title 47 Section 508 states this kind of behavior is illegal for commercial radio broadcasts:
(a) Subject…
Dioxin
- 181
- 1
- 6
1
vote
1 answer
Why is secrecy of correspondence treated differently than telephone or electronic surveillance
According to wikipedia "secrecy of correspondence" "Paper letters have, in most jurisdictions, remained outside the legal scope of law enforcement surveillance, even in cases of "reasonable searches and seizures". "
Why is communication with letters…
CuriousIndeed
- 163
- 1
- 6
1
vote
1 answer
What is the definition of obscene or gross material under the Communications Act?
It is in the news that the UK government considers that people posting videos of "point of view documentaries" of the James Bulger murder could be prosecuted for public order offences relating to obscene or gross material under the Communications…
User65535
- 10,342
- 5
- 40
- 88