200$ fine: Crackdown on public speakerphone use

Many countries are tightening restrictions on speakerphone use in public spaces, introducing fines and regulations to address what is increasingly seen as a social nuisance.

A man was recently fined $200 for using speakerphone at Nantes train station, reigniting discussions on public phone etiquette. Photo - Illustration: Ingolf, Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0.

A recent case in France has intensified the debate: Should using a speakerphone in shared spaces be penalized?

Speakerphone at a train station

A man in Nantes, France, was recently fined over $200 for using his cellphone’s speakerphone function in a train station. While chatting with his sister on speakerphone, he was approached by an official from France's state-owned rail company, SNCF, and warned to turn it off or face a fine. Initially thinking it was a joke, the man was issued a fine of €150 ($154), which increased to $207 due to delayed payment.

He has since hired a lawyer to contest the fine.

Calls for stricter enforcement

This incident underscores the growing push to regulate disruptive phone use in public spaces. While laws differ by country, many governments and municipalities have implemented rules to reduce loud or intrusive phone conversations, particularly those conducted on speakerphone, in an effort to maintain public decorum.

In the United Kingdom, for example, there are currently no specific laws prohibiting sound devices that disturb the peace on public transport. However, The Times notes that the absence of such regulations has led to increasing calls for stricter enforcement against disruptive behaviors, including loud phone conversations on speakerphone.

Americans’ views on cellphone use in public

Though no recent comprehensive studies focus specifically on speakerphone use in public, a 2015 study by the Pew Research Center examined American attitudes toward cellphone use in shared spaces.

The study found that while most Americans accept cellphone use in certain public settings—such as walking down the street (77%), using public transportation (75%), or waiting in line (74%)—tolerance drops in more private or intimate spaces. Only 38% of respondents felt it was appropriate to use a cellphone in a restaurant, while just 5% found it acceptable in typically quiet places, such as movie theaters.

Furthermore, only 12% thought it was appropriate to use cellphones at family dinners, 5% during meetings, and just 4% in religious services.

Expert opinions on public speakerphone use

Etiquette experts widely agree that using speakerphones in public settings is inappropriate. Lisa Grotts, known as the «Golden Rules Gal,» emphasizes that such behavior invades the personal space of others. She advises against speakerphone conversations in public, suggesting that if one must use a speakerphone, it should be done in a private setting to avoid disturbing others.

Public sentiment and reactions

Public reactions to speakerphone use in shared spaces are largely negative. A Reddit discussion highlights that many individuals find public speakerphone conversations to be rude and disruptive. Participants expressed frustration, emphasizing that such behavior disregards the comfort and personal space of others.

In response to these concerns, some regions are considering stricter measures. In the United Kingdom, for instance, there have been discussions about implementing on-the-spot fines for individuals who play loud music or engage in disruptive phone conversations on public transport. This initiative reflects a growing acknowledgment of the need to address behaviors that many find inconsiderate.

These expert insights and public opinions underscore the importance of being mindful of others when using speakerphones in public spaces. As technology becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, maintaining etiquette and respect for shared environments remains crucial.

Why do people use speakerphones in public?

A report from USA Today explores why some individuals opt to watch or listen to content publicly on their phones without headphones. The simple answer? They aren’t thinking about those around them.

«Talking to someone out loud in person on a bus where you’re dominating everybody else’s consciousness is just as rude as talking on the phone … in terms of real impact, it’s the same... I have no idea, but the person talking on the phone on a bus could be like, I don’t give a damn about all these people, you know, they’re just strangers to me. I’m never going to meet them again... There may be some more nefarious reasons like somebody is narcissistic and they want to show the world how many friends they have. It could be totally benign to nefarious.» Ozlem Ayduk Professor and chair of the UC Berkeley psychology department Source: Newsnation

–They’re thinking about themselves, says Taya Cohen, professor of organizational behavior and theory at Carnegie Mellon University. However, she emphasizes that this is not necessarily out of rudeness or malice.

–When we have a narrow focus on the content we’re consuming or the interaction we’re having, we’re not thinking very much about how other people might be affected by that and how negatively other people might be affected—that they might not like the noise, that they could even hear it.

Public disruptions due to noise are not a new phenomenon, but Cohen suggests that technology has amplified the issue.

–It just seems now there are more opportunities for people to do so because we all have technology that makes noise, she explains.

The shift in mobile phone use has grown more disruptive in recent years. –People are becoming more self-focused, Cohen says, adding that technological advancements—and rising prices of accessories—have contributed to more people foregoing headphones altogether.

Myka Meier, founder of Beaumont Etiquette, says that taking a call on speakerphone in public can give the impression that you're disregarding those around you. –It can come across as inconsiderate or even self-centered, as though you assume everyone else should be subjected to your conversation.