NEW YORK, March 10 (UPI) -- Cell-phone jamming devices, even though their use could draw fines of $11,000 a day, are in use in the United States, one device manufacturer says.
While many public places ask patrons to turn off cell phones, the beeps and tones can often be heard -- sometimes at inappropriate moments.
Devices that block the cell-phone signals are coming into widespread use, ABC News reported. The network said theaters in France and Japan, churches in Mexico and the Indian Parliament have all installed jammers.
U.S. cell-phone interests say the use of jammers in the United States represents "stealing" since people pay for cell phone usage and many people such as doctors, need to be able to be reached at any time.
The government apparently agrees, setting fines of up to $11,000 a day for the use of jammers.
But an Israeli company that makes the devices told ABC News they are being used in the United States -- for both security and silencing reasons. The security measures come from the tactic, used a year ago in the Madrid bombings, of setting off explosives with cell phones signals.
