The recent DJI update worried a lot of people in the area of drone restrictions. When the dust settled little seems to have changed. However the subject is one that is likely quite real.
DJI is a company that has become quite successful in a few short years on a global scale. Their products are sold and used just about everywhere. Where Apple, another highly successful international company, is highly protective about customer privacy…DJI clearly looks out for public safety and legal issues.
In the early years drones were more toys and there were few if any drone laws. It just didn’t matter much. In the last few years Phantom like products has changed that bringing highly capable camera drones to the masses at fairly low costs. Most are capable of flying both high are far and drone laws resulted.
In the coming years its likely to only go in one direction…more extensive drone laws with limits and restrictions. DJI appears to be reacting to that with changes that likely make it easier for them to be restrictive…when and where they might need to be. The last thing they want is any kind of product ban for wide areas based on safety concerns and/or legal issues.
Here in the USA a recent new law is being considered.
“Senator Dianne Feinstein has introduced the “Drone Federalism Act of 2017” designed to limit the scope of FAA’s preemption for drone regulations and protect states’ rights to enact drone laws.”
A quick review of what this might mean may provide some insight to many here interested in drones. Having control moved from the FAA to local and state representatives is not likely to go well with potential differences in every state, county and city possible. It would not surprise me to find that similar things are being considered in other countries and areas.
We as drone enthusiasts needs to understand what’s out there today and what’s coming down the pike. We need to take care in how we use our products. Careless actions by a few can sometimes result in changes that affect all those who use drones carefully. We also need to be vocal in the best ways to support reasonable changes and restrictions.
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