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posted by takyon on Monday October 15 2018, @01:44PM   Printer-friendly
from the drone-wars dept.

The Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018 regulates airline seat sizes and allows authorities to shoot down drones without obtaining a warrant:

Despite objection, Congress passes bill that lets U.S. authorities shoot down private

U.S. authorities will soon have the authority to shoot down private drones if they are considered a threat — a move decried by civil liberties and rights groups. [...] [Critics] say the new authority that gives the government the right to "disrupt," "exercise control," or "seize or otherwise confiscate" drones that's deemed a "credible threat" is dangerous and doesn't include enough safeguards.

Federal authorities would not need to first obtain a warrant, which rights groups say that authority could be easily abused, making it possible for Homeland Security and the Justice Department and its various law enforcement and immigration agencies to shoot down anyone's drone for any justifiable reason.

Also at CBS and Aero News Network.

See also: New FAA Rules for Drones Go Into Effect


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  • (Score: 2) by Arik on Monday October 15 2018, @03:38PM

    by Arik (4543) on Monday October 15 2018, @03:38PM (#749094) Journal
    "So we're basically talking about militarizing a civilian agency."

    I'm not convinced of that. What I'm seeing in the reporting might well be intended as a signal to do just that, but it also seems possible it's misdirected alarm. If there's nothing more than what's literally written, it's not much of an expansion. It says they're authorized to do something everyone is already authorized to do - to act when necessary.

    Will someone inevitably turn around and just decide that 'necessary' means whatever they want it to mean? Sure, just like in every other area. It'll probably wind up in the courts before anyone really knows what it means.
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