As reported by Wired.com, in a shocking declaration by the Federal Communications Commission, according to the Communications Act of 1934. If you own any wireless RF device, this includes a baby monitor, wireless router, cell phone or cordless phones, the FCC has a right to enter the property and inspect the item in question:
You may not know it, but if you have a wireless router, a cordless phone, remote car-door opener, baby monitor or cellphone in your house, the FCC claims the right to enter your home without a warrant at any time of the day or night in order to inspect it.
That’s the upshot of the rules the agency has followed for years to monitor licensed television and radio stations, and to crack down on pirate radio broadcasters. And the commission maintains the same policy applies to any licensed or unlicensed radio-frequency device.
I imagine that this will be challenged in court but according to the Wired.com article, the FCC is trying to shut down “Pirate” radio stations. I understand the need to monitor radio stations to make sure that there isn’t some complete wacko giving out advice on how to commit crimes or something but it seems like that information can be ascertained by actually listening to the station!
Repeat after me! You will not listen to anything over the airwaves that the government and corporations do not control or cannot monitor. Failure to comply will result in financial ruin.
I’ve also heard that legislation is in the works that would require all owners of wireless routers (private or business) to keep records of every transaction performed on said router – and to make them available at government request.