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Old 25th September 2015 | 21:09
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GBEBZ
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Jersey, Channel Islands
Insert here a paragraph explaining that in the UK it is actually illegal to record and replay Air Traffic Radio messages (Wireless Telegraphy Act) :-)

I understand that in other countries it is not illegal.

more info from LiveATC FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions | LiveATC.net

It is illegal to provide air traffic control feeds from within the UK due to an outdated law that originated back in 1942. The antiquated law states that although it is not illegal to sell, buy or own a scanning receiver in the UK, it must only be used to listen to transmissions meant to be broadcast to the general public.

OfCom (the U.K. regulatory authority for communications) has stated on numerous occasions: "It is an offence to listen to any other radio services unless you are authorised by a designated person to do so."

This means that it is illegal to listen to anything other than general reception transmissions unless you are either a licensed user of the frequencies in question or have been specifically authorized to do so by an authorized person. This is clearly a law that needs to be updated in light of the many educational uses for listening to aircraft communications. Furthermore, the original reasons for this law have long since become irrelevant.

Let's hope this law gets modified - there has been at least one online petition aimed at attempting to get some attention but it does not seem to have had much of an effect on Ofcom. If you are a UK citizen, please contact your MP and see if they can help make an exception to this law.
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