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Department of Justice Announces Update to Policy on Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems
justice.gov ^ | November 27, 2019 | DOJ

Posted on 11/30/2019 12:04:17 PM PST by ransomnote

Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Department of Justice Announces Update to Policy on Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems

The Justice Department announced today the publication of its updated Policy on the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems.  In light of advancements in unmanned aircraft system (UAS) technology, and lessons learned from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s limited use of UAS, the Policy enables the Department of Justice’s law enforcement components to safely and responsibly employ UAS technology within a framework designed to provide accountability and protect privacy and civil liberties.

“UAS technology assists the Department in protecting public safety and, most importantly, reduces risks to officers and the public,” said Beth A. Williams, Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy.  “Our new policy promotes the responsible, appropriate, and effective use of UAS by the Department and can serve as a model for our state, local, tribal, and territorial public safety partners as they develop their own UAS programs and best practices.” 

The Policy permits the use of UAS only in connection with properly authorized investigations and activities.  It also requires compliance with the Constitution and all applicable laws and regulations, including regulations issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.  Department of Justice components anticipate using UAS to support crime scene response and investigation, search and rescue, and site security, among other authorized uses.  In order to ensure accountability and airspace safety, the Department requires UAS operations to be approved at an appropriate level and conducted by personnel who meet Department-wide training standards.  Importantly, the new policy also requires components to evaluate UAS acquisitions for cybersecurity risks, guarding against potential threats to the supply chain and DOJ’s networks.    

The Policy reflects the Department’s strong commitment to the protection of privacy and civil liberties, mandating annual privacy reviews of UAS programs and assessments of new UAS technology from a privacy perspective.  It also places limits on data retention, generally requiring privacy sensitive data to be deleted within 180 days, unless certain exceptions are met. 

In addition to utilizing UAS as a law enforcement tool, the Department takes seriously the threat posed by unlawful and unsafe uses of UAS.  The Department has trained federal prosecutors and agents across the country on the criminal and civil enforcement tools available to counter the misuse of UAS, such as the use of drones to smuggle contraband into prisons or violate restricted airspace.  Department of Justice personnel have also trained and collaborated with senior state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement officials who face this new threat on a daily basis.   The Department welcomes lawful and beneficial uses of UAS, which promise to enhance the economy and transform the delivery of goods and the provision of critical services ranging from search-and-rescue to industrial inspections.  At the same time, the Department will not hesitate to take action against those who threaten the safety of our skies and the public. 

The updated Policy announced today draws on the Department’s long history of leveraging cutting-edge technology to protect the public while promoting our values and the rule of law.  

The publication of the updated policy can be found here

Component(s): 
Press Release Number: 
19-1318


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: drones; trumpdoj; uav; unmannedaircraft
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1 posted on 11/30/2019 12:04:17 PM PST by ransomnote
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To: ransomnote; null and void

“properly authorized”
Hmm.
How often do we see sketchy authorizations of activities against citizens?


2 posted on 11/30/2019 12:14:38 PM PST by Darksheare (Those who support liberal "Republicans" summarily support every action by same.)
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To: ransomnote

Back in the old days, if FBI agents had technology like this, they’d be snooping at peeping at sunbathing babes.

Now that 3/4 of the FBI is gay, or may as well be, they don’t care about stuff like that anymore. And the handful of hetros that are left in the Bureau are bopping each other during working hours.


3 posted on 11/30/2019 12:15:46 PM PST by Fido969 (In!)
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To: ransomnote

Sources familiar with the matter say Imran Awan rigged up a drone used by Eric Ciarmella to deliver a dossier prepared by Glenn Simpson and Nellie Ohr into Adam Schiff’s backyard.

Now go get ‘em.


4 posted on 11/30/2019 12:17:49 PM PST by bigbob (Trust Trump. Trust the Plan.)
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To: ransomnote

Cannot be tendered compatible with the 4th Amendment:

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.


5 posted on 11/30/2019 12:20:25 PM PST by Hugh the Scot ("Jesus was a fundamentalist".- BipolarBob)
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To: ransomnote

The Gov doesn’t want anyone spying on them.
The rest is all a smokescreen to keep anyone from challenging them


6 posted on 11/30/2019 12:22:46 PM PST by Zathras
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To: Darksheare

Rubber stamp authorization.


7 posted on 11/30/2019 12:29:58 PM PST by Husker24
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To: Hugh the Scot

I guess I must’ve missed it. How does flying a UAS search a house? Is there a difference between the capabilities of an unmanned craft vs a manned craft?


8 posted on 11/30/2019 12:55:13 PM PST by excalibur21
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To: Husker24

Yup.
The “The cops wouldn’t be asking for this if they weren’t badguys” legal theory.


9 posted on 11/30/2019 12:56:28 PM PST by Darksheare (Those who support liberal "Republicans" summarily support every action by same.)
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To: excalibur21

Certain video systems can see through walls.
Not good enough to identify people, but good enough to see how many people are there.
And don’t you know, they just have to search your house now because they feel the person they’re looking for is there.
And if you object to the unreasonable search, well, you must be up to something.


10 posted on 11/30/2019 1:00:32 PM PST by Darksheare (Those who support liberal "Republicans" summarily support every action by same.)
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To: Hugh the Scot

While wr are at, liscense plate readers.

My brother’s liscense is currently suspended for idiot award DUI.

I was using his car this week while visiting from out of state.

I got pulled over Thanksgiving eve and yesterday.

I asked each time. The 2nd leo told me I’m driving a vehicle owned by a person on the suspension list.

I don’t think is right that the popo pulled me over because I was driving a insured and registered vehicle of a person without a valid dl.


11 posted on 11/30/2019 1:01:47 PM PST by guyfromjrz (fresh breath, it speaks for itself.)
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To: ransomnote

Never seen so many words written to say so little.


12 posted on 11/30/2019 1:13:50 PM PST by BikerJoe
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To: Hugh the Scot

This is guidance for government entities, not private citizens.


13 posted on 11/30/2019 1:21:32 PM PST by Hulka
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To: excalibur21

“I guess I must’ve missed it.”

You certainly have.


14 posted on 11/30/2019 1:25:26 PM PST by Hugh the Scot ("Jesus was a fundamentalist".- BipolarBob)
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To: Hulka

So is the 4th.


15 posted on 11/30/2019 1:25:57 PM PST by Hugh the Scot ("Jesus was a fundamentalist".- BipolarBob)
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To: guyfromjrz

Yes, but who cares about those pesky old limits on government intrusion into your life?

That’s just the obsolete thinking of a bunch of old white oppressors.


16 posted on 11/30/2019 1:28:22 PM PST by Hugh the Scot ("Jesus was a fundamentalist".- BipolarBob)
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To: bigbob

Nellie calling base

-. . .-.. .-.. .. . -.-. .- .-.. .-.. .. -. —. -... .- ... .


17 posted on 11/30/2019 1:29:02 PM PST by JohnnyP (Thinking is hard work (I stole that from Rush).)
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To: ransomnote

Electric Eye
Judas Priest
Up here in space
I’m looking down on you
My lasers trace
Everything you do

You think you’ve private lives
Think nothing of the kind
There is no true escape
I’m watching all the time

I’m made of metal
My circuits gleam
I am perpetual
I keep the country clean

I’m elected electric spy
I’m protected electric eye

Always in focus
You can’t feel my stare
I zoom into you
You don’t know I’m there

I take a pride in probing all your secret moves
My tearless retina takes pictures that can prove

I’m made of metal
My circuits gleam
I am perpetual
I keep the country clean

Electric eye, in the sky
Feel my stare, always there
There’s nothing you can do about it
Develop and expose
I feed upon your every thought
And so my power grows

I’m made of metal
My circuits gleam
I am perpetual
I keep the country clean

Protected. Detective. Electric eye

Songwriters: GLENN RAYMOND TIPTON, KENNETH DOWNING, ROBERT HALFORD
© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ96oEwYrE8


18 posted on 11/30/2019 1:36:38 PM PST by Don W (When blacks riot, neighbourhoods and cities burn. When whites riot, nations and continents burn.)
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To: Hugh the Scot

Your post was saying the document applies to citizens. It does not. Their document places limits on government, not citizens.


19 posted on 11/30/2019 1:48:46 PM PST by Hulka
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To: guyfromjrz

And how did he know? He probably has system in his vehicle that is scanning everybody’s license plate and bumping them against a database.


20 posted on 11/30/2019 1:51:40 PM PST by DannyTN
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