Not every drone is trying to kill you
or spy on you on behalf of a nosy government agency. Unfortunately
for the companies that make these other drones, the growing public
discontent over the potential misuse of the unmanned aircraft may
end up spilling over in areas where there probably is no real
opposition.
Via the
Associated Press:
The civilian unmanned aircraft industry worries that it will be
grounded before it can really take off because of fear among the
public that the technology will be misused. Also problematic is a
delay in the issuance of government safety regulations that are
needed before drones can gain broad access to U.S. skies.Some companies that make drones or supply support equipment and
services say the uncertainty has caused them to put U.S. expansion
plans on hold, and they are looking overseas for new markets.‘‘Our lack of success in educating the public about unmanned
aircraft is coming back to bite us,’’ said Robert Fitzgerald, CEO
of The BOSH Group of Newport News, Va., which provides support
services to drone users.
Drone manufacturers point out that even in the hands of law
enforcement agents, their products have a legitimate use in helping
in rescue efforts and other activities that don’t have the
potential to violate citizen privacy. Their arguments would
probably have more traction if law enforcement agencies at all
levels of government weren't constantly looking for excuses to
bypass the Fourth Amendment.
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