Recent content by Chip

Apparently AUVSI has some concerns about DJI and its 90% market share. Whitepaper: AUVSI Partnership for Drone Competitiveness https://www.auvsi.org/sites/default/files/AUVSI-Partnership-for-Drone-Competitiveness-White-Paper.pdf Excerpt: China’s dominance of the electronics supply chain...

DJI has outspent Skydio on lobbyists by a very large margin.

I agree with you. "Too much emphasis on this website is about "spying" through use of the product rather than disrupting use of products that we have become reliant upon." Everyone loves a straw man to spit and curse upon. But its a straw man. My attention was drawn by watching all of these...

I think its correct legally and morally for each state to decide how its state and local law enforcement may use drones to conduct searches with and without warrants. The federal court cases interpreting the Fourth Amendment may be instructive but not determinative of adjudicating rights under...

Here is why that is a problem. Every state has its own Constitution which in some cases provides more privacy protection than the US Constitution/Fourth Amendment and every state has the right to enact its own laws limiting when and how drones may be used by law enforcement to conduct surveillance.

The plot thickens.

One potential issue pointed out by the ACLU is the First Amendment protects right of free speech and right to peaceably assemble. When the government is conducting mass surveillance with no probable cause on everyone in attendance at a particular meeting, parade or other assembly, its a...

Some states do prohibit use of drones by law enforcement to conduct surveillance without a warrant. Here is an example from North Dakota. Of course, law enforcement has wriggle room in defining what is and is not surveillance or is an exception for "exigent circumstances" and the like. Notice...

That depends on the state law where you live. Many states prohibit "surveillance" by drone. Any public drone flight could potentially cause someone to complain of voyeurism, harassment, stalking, privacy invasion etc. True, there’s nothing wrong in birdwatching. If that is actually what you are...

Tesla's data security became a hot topic in China last summer when an airport in Yueyang in Hunan province barred Tesla cars from entry, saying its "sentry mode," which allows owners to monitor their parked cars for suspicious activity and record the footage, could potentially expose sensitive...

Coincidentally, China restricts use of Apple I phones and Teslas due to "security concerns." I guess they are afraid these devices "phone home" to America. https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Supply-Chain/Tesla-cars-face-more-entry-bans-in-China-as-security-concerns-accelerate

Am I correct that if you are a Part 107 licensed drone pilot conducting a commercial flight, you have a legal duty to maintain flight records and produce for inspection? I am assuming that the potential consequences of blowing off the FBI and AF OSI when they have your flight documented on...

I am astounded that the FBI and AF OSI have time for this. They obviously knew exactly who you were and where you flew. But they wanted to meet you personally. Can you tell us this: did they ask you whether you were in fact flying your drone that day? If so, when in the conversation did they...

That is very interesting. The NPSA confirms in its materials that drones may fly over private property and record images. There is no mention of possible invasion of privacy, trespass, nuisance or reckless endangerment as in the USA. The NPSA describes these auditors as generally harmless...