Three agencies affiliated with the United Nations have issued a highly alarming statement. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), there has been a significant recent surge in interference and spoofing of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) signals — including the widely used GPS. One of the affected regions is the northern part of Poland.
GPS disruptions are becoming increasingly frequent. Experts warn: The problem may escalate
According to the published communiqué, the number of incidents involving so-called jamming (signal interference) and spoofing (false positioning) is on the rise, and their scope is no longer confined to conflict zones. Such incidents are now also occurring in civilian regions, including over Europe and along maritime routes.
Without decisive action, these disruptions may pose risks to human life, destabilize global maritime transport, and compromise digital infrastructure
— experts caution.
Strange Signals in the Baltic Sea Region
Particularly troubling are the 2025 data: in the Baltic Sea region and northern Poland, strong GPS signal disruptions were observed that lasted for several hours, affecting both aviation and maritime transport. Similar issues were recorded in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
GNSS systems now form the foundation of civil aviation — from route planning to landing procedures. False signals could lead to catastrophes, warn specialists from the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Meanwhile, the International Maritime Organization emphasizes that every seafaring vessel — regardless of size — must be equipped with a GNSS signal receiver. This system is crucial not only for navigation but also for emergency communication and real-time position tracking. Disruptions of this kind may pose real safety risks, such as collisions, navigational errors, or mislocation during emergencies.
Spoofing, or the emission of fake GPS signals, can even create “ghosts” on radar — non-existent aircraft or ships. This presents a serious threat not only to navigation and aviation but also to national defence systems.
Current Regulations Prohibit Signal Interference
While such actions were traditionally the domain of military operations, experts now point out that even inexpensive, commercially available devices can effectively disrupt GPS signals. In many cases, identifying the perpetrator is impossible, which makes the problem even harder to contain.
The International Telecommunication Union recalls that as early as 2022, it urged member states to implement recommendations for protecting satellite radio navigation services. Existing regulations explicitly prohibit the disruption of signals used for safety purposes.
A Global Paralysis Could Occur
The UN is calling not only for perpetrators of signal interference to be penalized, but also for the implementation of alternative navigation systems that could function in the event of GPS failure. Maintaining ground-based support infrastructure, improving interference monitoring, and reporting each incident to the appropriate national and international authorities are also deemed essential.
The authors of the report warn that the loss of reliable satellite navigation could paralyze not only transport, but also financial services, telecommunications networks, and even power systems.