Internet Policy News Briefs

UAS Policies Discussed by Stakeholder

Washington, D.C., Feb. 29, 2016

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) met last week to discuss privacy, transparency, and accountability issues regarding commercial and private use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). UASs are used for more than just fighting terrorism overseas.  Within the United States,  they are used for incident awareness; search and rescue operations; and training troops here before they conduct UAS missions overseas. The Federal Aviation  Administration (FAA) and National Aerospace Administration (NAA) regulate uses of UASs domestically.  NIST weights in on standards and guidelines to make communication and coordination smooth.

The UAS technology is used mostly in the Security arena, and is one of the most controversial. Opponents to domestic use say they are against allowing or furthering the ability of state, local, or Federal Government entities to surveillance of private citizens. In contrast, there are several regional groups and associations made up of companies that provide the technology that dislike NIST trying to regulate UAS operators the “privacy” of citizens. Instead, these regional associations want NIST to stick to weighing in on “safety” not “privacy” according to responses to draft guidelines. One other group is present in the debate representing those that believe DOD should not use UAS even for training inside or outside the United States, but only to support of domestic search and rescue operations. Opponents of international use by DOD state that UASs are inaccurate and responsible for collateral damage, which enflames anti-American sentiments overseas.  Proponents of its defense uses, however, disagree saying it is invaluable in the West’s fight against terrorism. DOD has issued stringent guidelines for its domestic use of UAS.

This month’s NIST meeting, whose attendants included Commerce officials, defense specialists, and Government contractors, touched on several other UAS related topics, but no resolutions were made. Another meeting of the multi-stakeholder group is scheduled for March. For more details, go to http://www.ntia.doc.gov/other- publication/2015/multistakeholder- process-unmanned-aircraft-systems.