News briefing · Published
GPS jamming is rising: keep paper maps and offline navigation
Why is GPS jamming increasing, and what should my family do about it?
2026 reports describe rising GPS jamming and spoofing in the Baltic Sea, the Persian Gulf, and at sea, and a June 2026 US House hearing looked at the threat. Families can keep a paper map and a compass, which do not depend on satellite signals, and download offline maps as a backup.
European Pravda reports that a measuring station on Bornholm, a Danish island, logged 30 instances of GPS jamming and spoofing in 2026, compared with 16 in all of 2025.
What happened
The figures come from that one station, and reports point to Russia as the suspected source. Safety4Sea, cited by Hellenic Shipping News, says maritime GPS jamming reached record levels in the first quarter of 2026. One account says nearly 900 vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf had navigation signals disrupted. A June 2026 US House hearing also focused on GPS jamming and spoofing, according to a ThreatCluster summary.
What it means for your home
Phone maps and car navigation depend on satellite signals. When those signals are jammed or spoofed, a map app can show the wrong place or stop working. Paper maps and a little practice help a family find its way.
What to do this week
- Get a paper road atlas for your region and keep it in the car.
- Download offline maps for your area in your map app, then test them in airplane mode.
- Write key addresses and phone numbers on paper.
- Keep a compass in your kit and practice reading it once.
- Keep a power bank charged for each phone.
For a plan that works without phone service, read Communicate when phones are down.
Sources
This briefing is general information, not medical, legal or electrical advice. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.