FCC warns extremists are turning to radio to plan attacks

Leading up to Presidentelect Joe Biden's inauguration, the Federal Communications Commission is reminding personal and amateur radio operators that the use of radios to commit or facilitate criminal acts is prohibited.

“The Bureau has become aware of discussions on social media platforms suggesting that certain radio services regulated by the Commission maybe an alternative to social media platforms f or groups to communicate and coordinate future activities,” said the FCC in a statement Sunday.

The reminder is directed to licensees and operators in the Personal Radio Services, as well as the Amateur Radio Service. These services are prohibited from transmitting “communications intended to facilitate a criminal act” or “messages encoded for the purpose of obscuring t heir meaning,” according to the commission.

Individuals who violate the measures are subject to fines, seizure of the equipment as well as criminal prosecution, the FCC said.

Personal Radio Services include Citizens Band radios, Family Radio Service walkietalkies and General Mobile Radio Service, which the FCC says also are prohibited from using those radios in connection with any activity which is against Federal, State or local law.”

On J an. 9, Amazon Web Services suspended the social media platform Parler from its web hosting services due to posts that “encourage and in cite violence .” However, CEO John Matze said the platform could be back in late January.

Meanwhile, podcasts provide a loophole for extremists propagating QAnon conspiracy theory false claims of a stolen presidential election, including in platforms such as Google and Spotify.

Social media giants have taken measures to impede users from facilitating acts of violence on their platforms. Facebook announced it would ban ads that promote weapon accessories and protective equipment in the United States ahead of Inauguration Day. Twitter also cracked down on accounts linked to QAnon, removing more than 70,000 accounts.