Just curious, but why are people so anti Remote I. D.

[AnDronioBanderos]

This is purely curiosity and a genuine question but I have noticed on various Facebook groups, Reddit, etc but especially Facebook groups, that there seems to be a lot of people looking for an option to turn remote ID off on their mini drones?

I have read theories about people claiming criminals could track down drone pilots to steal their drone but if that is the case wouldn't the remote ID help track down the drone once it's flown again?

Or is it simply seen as an invasion of privacy by the authorities against drone users?

Personally I have never given much thought to it and it really does not bother me here as I comply with my local laws and aviation authority.

But I have noticed an increasing amount of questions on groups looking to disable it through hacks. I even saw it on a mini 5 pro group earlier which I thought was exempt one the drone was kept as a C0 but possibly the pilot has it registered in C1 for the altitude but even so, why would he want to fly with RID off if it's against the law?

Thanks.

 

[mavic3usa]

This is a quote almost word for word but with some very minor changes:

"Can anyone cite an instance of a law enforcement officer using RID to identify a drone? Or even carrying a RID detection device? Are we really envisioning meddlesome cops equipped with little RID device searching for unlawful drones?"

Wanted to get that out as a valid question before we dive into the complex questions that you asked.

 

[AnDronioBanderos]

This is a quote almost word for word but with some very minor changes:

"Can anyone cite an instance of a law enforcement officer using RID to identify a drone? Or even carrying a RID detection device? Are we really envisioning meddlesome cops equipped with little RID device searching for unlawful drones?"

Wanted to get that out as a valid question before we dive into the complex questions that you asked.

Thanks.

I seen some odd posts on reddit (the source of some serious misinformation at times) claiming people are using their apps to track drones for the purposes above. Even one post claiming a fictional bikini clad lady could make false claims of perving (or something to that affect) and use the information she collected from the RID broadcast.

 

[Cafguy]

Miss-information mostly and privacy for some. Many pilots still believe that when you turn on R.I.D. someone can "see" you. Unless there is a karen with an app nearby then NO-ONE is watching.
RID was created they say to improve how people that violate often are tracked. and this is only really done by the official actually reading the Registration number you conveniently stuck on the outside of the Drone for them. Ask any"official" for their RID reader and you will be met with a look of confusion. So what is RID good for really....Well if you are a municipality that wants to keep track of and tax or apply a fee to part 107 flights then heres your perfect tool!
Go ahead and turn your RID on nobody is watching really. and as far as weather your RID is on and functional Who does that? and how many of whoever that is are driving around in Drone Patrol cars. 0.

 

[BlueHeeler]

Thus far, I only see two groups of drone users who are against R.I.D.

1. Ones that are absolutely up to no good.
2. Ones that are paranoid
3. Reserved for a new group TBA

 

[Bad Santa]

Thus far, I only see two groups of drone users who are against R.I.D.

1. Ones that are absolutely up to no good.
2. Ones that are paranoid
3. Reserved for a new group TBA

Ones that just want to stay out of the public searchable databases.

It's not paranoia if they really are out to get you.

 

[MS Coast]

Paranoia, drama, overactive imaginations, social media nonsense, and hyperbolic Youtube videos.

Prior to the implementation of RID, there were a number of people on this forum who feared that criminals using RID would track down drone pilots and steal their gear or that armed and deadly meddlesome women would hunt down drone pilots to shout at them or assault them. Some folks described the weapons they intended to carry, from chemical sprays to autoloader pistols and more.

I'll ask again. Has anyone heard of a case where a criminal has used RID to rob or attack a drone pilot? Or one where RID was not used? How many horrifying incidents have taken place with busybody females dangerously confronting drone pilots?

 

[Felix le Chat]

Wherever you are in the world, mandatory RID is going to be default sooner rather than later. In the UK: we're looking at January 2026. If you want to keep flying: you'll just have to grit your teeth and take it.

I just hope that in all the countries where there isn't 'red-under-the-bed' paranoia running rampant, the built-in DJI RID and UUID gets used... it's right there: built in to both the drone and the flight app and has been for a long time, and it works reliably. On top of that: the detection hardware is mature and proven tech (Aeroscope) that is only accessible to appropriate oversight.

I understand why a lot of people don't like the idea that any Tom, Kevin or Karen is given the ability to access information willy-nilly, the only people who should have access to this kind of information are professionally accredited bodies for the purposes of policing and oversight, not some paranoid sticky-beak who doesn't know the difference between 'legal' and a brown hole in the ground.

 

[BossBob]

My want for privacy, plain and simple. I don’t know of any other HOBBY that requires the open broadcast of the location of a hobbyist even when at home. If my drone is so dangerous that turning it on warrants my location being broadcast then I can think of some much more dangerous pastimes, that once registered (as we are), or not, nobody else needs to know about it. As for worrying about our drones having cameras, i wouldn’t bother with a drone. Mobile phones are much less intrusive than a drone and EVERYONE has one and then there are cameras with long lenses.
On appropriate oversight, that’ll probably be farmed out to whichever data scraper pays the government the biggest fee rather than a company with some scruples. After all, they won’t be in business for our benefit, just to make the most money.

 

[Felix le Chat]

My want for privacy, plain and simple. I don’t know of any other HOBBY that requires the open broadcast of the location of a hobbyist even when at home. If my drone is so dangerous that turning it on warrants my location being broadcast then I can think of some much more dangerous pastimes, that once registered (as we are), or not, nobody else needs to know about it. As for worrying about our drones having cameras, i wouldn’t bother with a drone. Mobile phones are much less intrusive than a drone and EVERYONE has one and then there are cameras with long lenses.
On appropriate oversight, that’ll probably be farmed out to whichever data scraper pays the government the biggest fee rather than a company with some scruples. After all, they won’t be in business for our benefit, just to make the most money.

"...appropriate oversight..."? In the UK and Europe: it's already there and sitting right at the EASA and CAA Top Table deciding which direction regulation heads in: it's a company named Altitude Angel and they are a royal pain in the arse. They've been wanting to charge drone users a per-flight fee for the last four years, but current aviation legislation is the sand in their vaseline... for now...