I would like to point out that discovering the application removing limitations from DJI drones elicited a visceral reaction in me. I was immediately concerned with the safety of aircrew, passengers and those on the ground that could be hurt / killed as a result of irresponsible flying. However as someone else pointed out DJI are the only ones enforcing NFZs among the manufacturers of high end consumer drones. Further there has not been a reported accident at altitude of any consumer drone / aircraft impact. All accidents have been low altitude away from airfields (as far as I know. please correct this statement if it is wrong). It stands to reason that the lack of incidents in the 18 months since that software debuted (well after github projects allowed users to do the same) is a good indicator of the likelihood of one of their customers endangering others with the product. For that matter if I wanted to fly a drone into an NFZ its cheaper and easier to just buy another manufacturers product.
Sad but true: In the last year or so the busy bodies have found the *pilots.com forums. The solution here is an age old one that I do my best to live by: apply your attention and efforts to yourself and your own behavior first don't infringe the rights of others OR THEIR RIGHT TO DO SAME. Those that live / behave in a manner that does not infringe upon the safety of others, or limit their ability to follow these simple maxims deserve their freedom to exercise their own judgment; those that cannot live without infringing upon others safety or freedom are wrong by default regardless of justification. It is that group that punishment and perhaps limits should be placed on be it restricting their ability to drive, use alcohol or other drugs, pilot aircraft or UAVs, etc. The rest of us who operate within the (obvious) guidelines of mutual respect kindly ask the busy bodies to GTFO. We don't require your nanny state, your NFZ restrictions, etc.
I don't have a solution to the problem of irresponsible people but I know limiting the rights of everyone is not the answer. it is the territory of the fool. [Personally I believe that those who splutter and spout the need for this restriction or that control do so because they would not respect others in the absence of boundaries. They exist between the respectful and disrespectful of humanity, a rather disingenuous lot IMHO. ] Why? Because as a general rule those of us who live in a state of mutual respect would not be the ones flying irresponsibly and endangering our fellow man. Anyone who would behave in such an inconsiderate reckless manner does not give a **** about existing rules / laws and will not care much about any further constraints placed on this or any other potentially dangerous activity. To be fair it is important to note that as to the rest, those situations where you decide to place your self interest over anyone else's (deciding to drive drunk on that one occasion despite being adamantly opposed to doing so) are no doubt far less attractive when we know serious punishment can / will result. I believe in this way ordinarily good folks are helped keep from slipping by knowing there is a hard limit that they are expected to observe. The vast majority of people only occasionally make bad decisions that could negatively impact others and I will also grant that the knowledge of serious repercussions no doubt prevents many of those people from following through with their lapse in judgement. In this way, some boundaries serve a very useful role in curbing the occasional self-centered foolishness humans are capable of.
Yes it only takes one to kill many people, but if you apply that logic to constraining hobbyist UAVs you need to apply it to every aspect of our lives. It only takes one truck carrying gasoline to kill / maim scores of people on our crowded highways (and it has happened time and time again) yet I see them daily. It only takes one small mistake flying military aircraft in urban areas to kill hundreds yet this is deemed 'necessary for readiness' and it occurs frequently. You notice these two examples revolve around mistakes, accidents, etc. rather than intentional behavior. Trade accidental for intentional for either and you have a recipe for mass casualties that could occur any moment. If you simply cannot focus your energy on ensuring your behavior is based on mutual respect and doesn't infringe on others please kindly direct your energy that direction rather than in mine.
badgenes