“The Bureau is aware of discussions on social media platforms that suggest that certain Commission-regulated radio services may be an alternative to social media platforms for groups to communicate and coordinate future activities,” the FCC said in its warning Sunday. “Persons who use radios in this way in the amateur or personal radio services could be subject to severe penalties, including significant fines, seizure of the offending equipment and, in some cases, criminal prosecution.”
The FCC gives people permission to broadcast via radio waves. Those messages are generally protected by the First Amendment to the US Constitution. But the FCC reminded radio licensees and operators that it is illegal to broadcast “communications designed to facilitate a criminal act.” People also shouldn’t encrypt their messages to obscure their meaning to law enforcement.
Radio wave laws apply to amateurs broadcasting with personal ham radios, which can reach great distances. But they also apply to people who use Citizens Band (CB) radios commonly used for truck driver communication – or even walkie-talkies.
“Without AWS, Parler is ready because there is no way to go online,” the complaint said. “And a delay in awarding this TRO by even one day could ring Parler’s death knell if President Trump and others move on to other platforms.”
Amazon said Parler’s lawsuit has “no merit.”