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Drone Registration Is FAA's Way of Getting You To Read Their "EULA" (hackaday.com)

Posted by samzenpus on from the new-rules dept.

szczys writes: There is little to complain about when it comes to the new FAA rules regarding drones (unless perhaps you live in DC). The regulations are basically an End User Licensing Agreement and focus on educating responsible operators. Eight simple rules cover how to avoid doing dangerous things with Unmanned Aerial Systems. The FAA has even left alone the small toy drones, and the certification system for those above 55 lbs remains. The one aspect that is concerning is that of privacy; the drone database will be publicly searchable and contains names and addresses of drone owners. If the DMV keeps license plate data protected, the FAA should do the same.

2 of 131 comments (clear)

  1. Publicly searchable database by Known+Nutter · · Score: 4, Informative
    It is worth pointing out that ham radio operators must already contend with this issue via the FCC license search database.

    FTFA:

    There is one argument I've heard against this registry that I think holds water, and that is the privacy concern. The FAA plans to make the drone registration database publicly searchable, and the search results will include owner names and addresses.

    It is completely reasonable to conclude that since the FCC database is capable of reverse lookup (rather than by callsign only), the FAA database will do the same. It also reasonable to conclude that as of now, there are far more ham radio operators than drone operators.

    I'm not making a case for or against this. I'm just pointing out a federal system in place which already has this.

    --
    Beware of the Leopard.
  2. I'm sorry your tears obscured the facts... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    "Other than the fact that the FAA is closing down model airplane clubs..."

    The FAA is not closing down any model airplane clubs nor any other clubs.

    "...in the absence of any actual regulation being in place,"
    Yes, there are regulations now in place.

    "...and is threatening people with tens of thousands of dollars in fines for not registering"
    No, they are not threatening people with fines of tens of thousands of dollars, and they're not
    threatening them for not registering. They are saying if you fly your UAS outside of regulations
    you are subject to fines. That's not about "registration" as much as it is about "regulation."

    "...a 9-ounce toy airplane despite the fact that the 2012 FMRA law prohibits the FAA from doing exactly what it just did. Just another example of the executive branch deliberately ignoring laws they don't like. Again. "
    Adding the word "Again" to a nonsense statement doesn't imply anyone did anything wrong, only that your temper tantrum went on twice as long.

    If you have reason to believe it's unlawful, by all means challenge it. That doesn't mean cry your eyes out on facebook or slashdot. It means file suit. If that's too hard for you and you'd rather someone else does it, that's fine too, just stop crying and wait for the adults to handle the situation.

    The FAA has passed regulations and that's life. You don't like and the tears are flowing and that's life. If you think they are in the wrong and don't have the right to do that then... first you should read up on the last two times they tried and how they got shot down and how they changed their method so now they have their ducks in a row... then dry your eyes... reapply your mascara... and challenge the FAA.