illegal and carries a jail sentence from one to five years, as per Article 617 of the Civil Penal Code. Japan It is legal to possess, install and operate a scanner in Japan. The radio law prohibits from disclosing or passing on information received to other persons and using the information to gain personal profit. It is illegal to listen to telephone communication and those transmitted using tapping devices. An amateur radio license is required when amateur radio apparatus is used to listen to radio. Mexico In Mexico, it is legal to have an unblocked scanner and listen to any radio spectrum frequencies, including encrypted and cellular band. According to the Federal Law of General Ways of Communication, individuals are prohibited from spreading any information obtained via a scanner. Netherlands In the Netherlands, it is legal to listen to any radio spectrum frequency because of the "freedom of information"-doctrine. However, if a "special" (i.e., unusual) effort is needed to intercept the information on a frequency (such as decrypting encrypted traffic or using an unauthorized or bootleg radio), then it is considered illegal. In 2008, the Dutch Supreme Court ruled that receivers that can solely be used to detect certain frequencies (such as radar detectors) are illegal because they cannot be used to "convey knowledge or thoughts" and thus are not covered by the aforementioned doctrine. New Zealand In New Zealand, according to the Radiocommunications Act 1989, it is legal to possess and use a scanner at any time to tune to any private voice radio (not encrypted data), provided that private information is not passed on or disclosed to any other person(s) or party(s). Switzerland Possession of a radio scanner is legal in Switzerland. However, it may only be used to listen to public radio traffic such as CB radio and amateur radio, as well as airband frequencies. United Kingdom In the United Kingdom, it is not illegal to own or use a scanner except in particular circumstances. For example, particular transmissions or frequencies should only be listened to with authorization an example of this being UK aviation frequencies and police radio, which in many other countries may be publicly listened to (and are even available to be streamed online) but in the UK are restricted. Many emergency services have now switched to digital encrypted radio systems, so that the general public cannot listen to them. United States The legality