Regulations on Signal Jammers in Uruguay

Uruguay is a small country in South America, bordered by Brazil and Argentina. Although it is one of the smallest countries in the region, it is known for being a leader in social, economic, and environmental development. Regarding information and communication technologies, Uruguay has experienced rapid growth in recent years, with a high adoption of mobile telephony and the internet. However, this technological advancement has also brought about a number of security issues, including the use of signal jammers.

Regulations Concerning Signal Jammers in Uruguay

In Uruguay, the use of signal jammers is strictly prohibited. Law No. 19.798, enacted in 2019, states that the use, commercialization, and importation of signal jammers are illegal and punishable by criminal sanctions. The penalties provided by the law include fines and imprisonment of up to six years for individuals and up to twelve years for legal entities.

Regulatory Bodies for Signal Jammers in Uruguay

The Ministry of Industry, Energy, and Mining is the entity responsible for regulating the use of telecommunications equipment in Uruguay. The Ministry works closely with the National Telecommunications Agency (ANTEL), the public organization that oversees and regulates the use of radio frequencies in the country.

Legal Authorization for the Use of Signal Jammers in Uruguay

As mentioned earlier, the use of signal jammers is illegal in Uruguay, and therefore, there is no legal authorization process for their use. The only cases where it is possible to use signal blocking devices are in prisons and detention centers, where these devices are used to prevent wireless communications within those establishments.