Tools such as the "WiFi pineapple" are rising in popularity in penetration testing and hacking communities. These devices are designed to allow and explicitly marketed as being able to intercept WiFi communications. They are sold online to anyone who wants one. My question is weather or not these count as "communication intercepting devices" as defined by Section 2512. A well known version of this type of tool, the WiFi pineapple (https://www.wifipineapple.com/) specifically advertises the ability to intercept communications. To clarify, I'm trying to find out why they get a seeming exemption, and what would be too "far" to be legal for my own experimentation with wireless security hardware. The why it is fairly important so I know where to start for my own research.

Is it illegal to Manufacture, distribute, possess, or advertise the WiFi pineapple or similar devices, per Section 2512?