DDIC Events

NACDL's Domestic Drone Information Center

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Commercial Applications and Public Policy Implications

Event Description:  Hearing on “Unmanned Aerial Vehicles"

U.S. Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Integration, Oversight, and Competitiveness

Event Description:  Hearing on “U.S. Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Integration, Oversight, and Competitiveness"

Subcommittee on Aviation Hearing on 'The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012: Two Years Later'

Event Description: The Subcommittee on Aviation will meet on Wednesday, February 5, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building to receive testimony from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT IG ), and Government Accountability Office (GAO) . The Subcommittee will hear from the witnesses regarding the progress the FAA has made in implementing provisions in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Reform Act ) 1 in the last two years.

U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Hearing: The Future of Unmanned Aviation in the U.S. Economy: Safety and Privacy Considerations

Event Description: The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a hearing on Wednesday, January 15, 2014, at 2:30 p.m. to examine the growth of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly referred to as “drones”, in the United States, including the potential economic benefits of drone operations, and the progress of steps taken to facilitate the development of the industry through the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-95). The hearing will include consideration of safety and privacy issues surrounding the operation of drones in the United States.

Exploring New Technology with Drone Journalism

  • Date & Time: November 20, 2013 (Video Available)
  • Location: London
  • Host: The Frontline Club 

Event Description: With the dangers of reporting and documenting conflict or uprisings claiming many lives every year, drones seem to be a practical and safe alternative to otherwise dangerous missions. On Wednesday 20 November, the Frontline Club hosted a panel discussion chaired by Richard Sambrook, professor of journalism at Cardiff University and a former BBC Global News director. The five-person panel debated the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the field, touching on ethics, law and the safety, as well as the advantages, it brings to journalism.

Drones Around the Globe: Proliferation and Resistance

  • Date & Time: November 16 & 17, 2013
  • Location: Georgetown Law Center, Hart Auditorium, Washington, DC
  • Host: Institute for Policy Studies, CODEPINK, The Nation Magazine, and the Center for Constitutional Rights 

Event Description: This gathering will bring together drone survivors from Pakistan,Yemen and Afghanistan, human rights advocates, lawyers, authors, artists and musicians, and grassroots activists for a weekend of educating and organizing. Speakers include Dr. Cornel West, international law expert Mary Ellen O'Connell, author of Drone Warfare Medea Benjamin, Amnesty International's Zeke Johnson, ACLU's Hina Shamsi, Pakistani drone victim attorney Shahzad Akbar, Afghan women's rights advocates Fahima Vorgetts and Suraia Sahar, Retired Colonel Ann Wright, UK/Europe drone expert Chris Cole, British scientist Noel Sharkey, inventor of Dronestagram James Bridle, designer of drone-repellent stealthwear Adam Harvey, and peace activist Kathy Kelly. Workshops include topics such as passing local legislation, social media training, student organizing and creative resistance. Evening events include film screenings, art shows and music.

No Place to Hide: The Rise of the Surveillance State and Its Threat to the Bill of Rights

Event Description: Confirmed Participants: Kade Crockford (Massachuetts ACLU), Thomas Drake (NSA whistleblower), Mike German (Former FBI special agent, now with ACLU National), Kevin Gosztola (firedoglake.com blogger), Restore the Fourth, Adam Schwartz (Illinois ACLU), Amie Stepanovich (Eletronic Privacy Information Center)

Drones & Aerial Robotics Conference

  • Date & Time: October 11-13, 2013
  • Location: NYU, New York City
  • Host: NYU Law, the MacArthur Foundation, the Center for Information Technology Policy, and the Information Society Project  

Event Description: DARC is a multidisciplinary conference about Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and drones—with an emphasis on civilian applications. Attendees will take part in a far-ranging exploration of these technologies and see firsthand the latest advancements in aerial robotics. In addition to looking at the cultural impact, legal challenges, and business potential, we’ll also examine specific applications for drones including: agriculture, policing, wildlife conservation, weather, mapping, logistics, and more.

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Privacy Issues and Domestic Drone Use

  • Date & Time: August 14, 2013
  • Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC
  • Host: C-Span  

Event Description: Jay Stanley talked about concerns of civil libertarians over the growing use of domestic drones, and he responded to telephone calls and electronic communications. Topics included Fourth Amendment privacy issues and the risk that law enforcement agencies might use the technology for mass, constant surveillance.

Law Enforcement and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

  • Date & Time: August 14, 2013
  • Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC
  • Host: C-Span 

Event Description: Alan Frazier, a deputy sherriff in Grand Forks, North Dakota and other guests speak about how local law enforcement agencies have been using drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles in their police work. The guests participated via video uplink from the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International conference held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Drone Usage and Privacy Issues

  • Date & Time: August 13, 2013
  • Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC
  • Host: C-Span  

Event Description: Legal experts talked about privacy issues related to the use of drones by law enforcement agencies. Topics included pervasive surveillance versus specific uses such as search and rescue operations, the use of drones for commercial purposes, legal protections, and the role of the Federal Aviation Administration. “Eye in the Sky- A Discussion on UAS Operations and Privacy Implications” was a session of the AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems 2013, an exposition on unmanned systems and robotics held at the Washington Convention Center.

Congressional Hearing: Eyes in the Sky: The Domestic Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems

Event Description: The House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations will be holding a hearing on the domestic use of unmanned aerial systems.

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Featured Products

Robotic and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Inside the United States: Applications, Safety, Perceptions, and Privacy Concerns 

  • Date & Time: 8:30 - 10:00am, May 8, 2013
  • Location: The National Press Club Ballroom, 529 14th Street N.W., Washington, DC
  • Host: RTI International 

Event Description:The domestic use of robotic or remotely piloted aircraft, or drones, is expected to become an $85 billion business within a few years, as this technology becomes widely available for commercial application within the United States. This technology offers many public safety benefits and commercial opportunities, but it also raises concerns about personal privacy, safety, and liability. At this policy forum, a group of leading experts will discuss and explore concerns ranging from public opinion toward the use of unmanned aircraft flying above our communities to the policies needed to ensure these aircraft are operated safely and do not violate the privacy we enjoy as American citizens.

The Drone Next Door

  • Date & Time: 9:00am - 1:45pm, May 7, 2013
  • Location: 1899 L Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036
  • Host: The New America Foundation 

Event Description:Drones have become essential to the American way of war. They’ve given the military nearly constant surveillance from the sky, and allow for quick attacks from afar. And now, like countless other technologies forged in the heat of battle, drones are making their way to the home front, pressed into civilian service. Call them drones, unmanned aerial vehicles, or remote-control planes; these high-tech devices have appealed to Border Patrol and local law enforcement, but also to conservationists, journalists, hobbyists, and more. How do we decide who gets to have their own set of eyes in the skies? What does it mean for your privacy and safety if your neighbors get their own drone?

FAA Public Engagement Session

  • Date & Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm, April 3, 2013
  • Location: Online
  • Host: FAA

Event Description: The FAA held an online public engagement session on Wednesday, April 3 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. EDT to provide the public with an opportunity to comment on the agency's proposed privacy policy for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The FAA provided a brief overview of the UAS test site program and proposed privacy policy and then took comments from participants. Each participant had three minutes for comments. The FAA continues to encourage the public to provide comments to the docket. The FAA listened and recorded all comments, but did not answer any questions during the session.

Game of Drones: Liberty and Security in the Age of Flying Robots

Event Description: Senator Rand Paul’s recent 13-hour filibuster drew attention to a number of important issues involving the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles abroad and at home. Among them: is it constitutional for the president to use UAVs to target American citizens abroad, far from any battlefield? What is the legal basis for President Obama’s ever-expanding drone wars abroad? Given the Department of Homeland Security’s support for domestic law-enforcement drones, what legal protections do Americans need to prevent liberty and privacy abuses at home? This special online-only series features a presentation and live discussion with Gene Healy, Vice President, Cato Institute; and Julian Sanchez, Research Fellow, Cato Institute; moderated by Caleb O. Brown, Director of Multimedia.

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Upcoming Events

Featured Events

NACDL Advocacy Call on the Use of Domestic Drones

  • Date & Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm, March 20, 2013
  • Location: Online
  • Host: NACDL 

Event Description: NACDL's March advocacy call focused on unmanned aircraft commonly known as drones and featured a discussion of pending legislation across the country. The panel discussed jurisdictions that have sought licenses for using the aircraft and legislation pending in several states. You can listen to a complete audio recording of the call here. Panelist biographies as well as information on NACDL's other advocacy calls can be found here.

The Future of Drones in America: Law Enforcement and Privacy Considerations

Event Description: The Senate Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing discussing privacy considerations and the use of drones by US law enforcement. Witness included: Benjamin Miller, Unmanned Aircraft Program, Manager, Mesa County Sheriff’s Office; Amie Stepanovich, Director of the Domestic Surveillance Project, Electronic Privacy Information Center; Michael Toscano, President & CEO, Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International; Ryan Calo, Assistant Professor, University of Washington School of Law.

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