Blocked on social media, extremists discuss resorting to radio to plan attacks, FCC warns

Blocked on social media, extremists discuss resorting to radio to plan attacks, FCC warns

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In a stern warning on Sunday, the Federal Communications Commission’s enforcement department said people who coordinate or conduct criminal activities over radio waves are breaking the law.

“The Bureau has taken note of discussions on social media platforms suggesting that certain radio services regulated by the Commission may be an alternative to social media platforms for groups to communicate and coordinate future activities,” the FCC said in its warning on Sunday. “Individuals who use radios on Amateur or Personal Radio Services in this manner may be subject to severe penalties, including significant fines, seizure of offensive equipment and, in some cases, criminal prosecution.”

The FCC licenses certain signals for people to transmit over radio waves. These messages are generally protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. But the FCC reminded licensees and radio operators that it is prohibited to transmit “communications designed to facilitate a criminal act”. People are also not allowed to encode their messages to hide their meaning from law enforcement.

The laws governing airwaves apply to amateurs who broadcast with personal radio amateurs, who can reach long distances. But they also apply to people who use Citizens Band (CB) radios commonly used for communication between truckers – or even walkie-talkies.

Following the January 6 Capitol riots, Facebook (FB), Twitter (TWTR) and other conventional social networks have become more vigilant about policing people who use their platforms to plan or incite attacks. They have expelled several high-profile radicals and thousands of groups and users that the platforms say are involved in harmful conspiracy theories and other forms of violence or hate speech.
Similarly, Amazon (AMZN), Apple (AAPL) and Google (GOOGL) effectively took Parler off the Internet. Parler, the alternative social network popular with conservatives, has grown in popularity in recent months. But the platform has failed to control hateful and violent speech, Big Tech companies claim. Amazon, Apple and Google said that the unmoderated speech could lead to another violent attack.
In response, Parler sued Amazon last week, alleging an antitrust violation, breach of contract and interference in the company’s commercial relations with users. The complaint considers Amazon Web Services’ decision a “death blow” to Parler.

“Without AWS, Parler is finished because there is no way to go online,” said the complaint. “And a delay in granting this TRO for at least a day could also sound Parler’s death sentence as President Trump and others move to other platforms.”

Amazon said Parler’s lawsuit “has no merit”.

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