ADS-B receivers

[ProM]

Now that you can buy personal ADS-B receivers (there was a thread on it recently but I can't find it) how does this fit in with the law on listening to communications. Are the broadcasts from the aircraft considered to be "for general use" and so anyone can "listen in" and have the receiver plot their position?

Or is it still like ATC broadcasts which are generally for aircraft only and not general consumption.

Basically is the use of these receivers legal in the UK?

[Token Sane Person]

Probably not legal

From the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006, 46.1.a

[It is an offence if a person uses] wireless telegraphy apparatus with intent to obtain information as to the contents, sender or addressee of a message (whether sent by means of wireless telegraphy or not) of which neither he nor a person on whose behalf he is acting is an intended recipient

That would certainly seem to apply to ADS-B.

Incidentally, the "whether sent by means of wireless telegraphy or not" bit is interesting: it seems to extend this clause to any kind of eavesdropping.

[Radarspod]

Interesting one this - I don't think OFCOM have come up with a clear argument. The last interpretation I head is that as long as you don't act upon or use the information, then it is not illegal.

I don't see how you can stop anyone anyway - the B is for Broadcast!

[Token Sane Person]

Depends on what you are doing

If you are just hooking up an ADS-B receiver to your PC then its like using an air-band radio: technically illegal, but the authorities neither know nor care. However it means that the openATC people (http://www.openatc.com/) are breaking the law twice: once when they intercept, and once when they broadcast the data (disclosure is a separate offence under the same law). And of course the authorities can easily see what they are doing.