A memo obtained by WIRED indicates that DHS does not have much confidence in its ability to detect threatening drones. “Tactics and techniques to circumvent anti-UAS capabilities are being distributed and sold online with little regulation,” the document, which authorities were instructed not to publish, said. In reality, police’s ability to track errant drones is hampered by a variety of evolving technologies, including “autonomous flight, 5G command and control, anti-jamming technology, swarming technology, and software that overrides geofencing restrictions.” The memo states that
The mystery in New Jersey, and similar phenomena in Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland, among others, reflects continued efforts by state and federal legislatures to expand the government’s access to anti-UAS technology. is attracting attention. Speaking to reporters via Zoom on Saturday, DHS officials said the agency asked Congress to “expand and extend existing counter-drone authorities” and “also empower states and local governments to respond to such threats.” “We want to ensure that they are provided with the tools they need.” ”
Currently, only a handful of federal agencies are legally allowed to shoot down drones in U.S. airspace, including DHS, the Department of Energy, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Defense.
Ryan Shapiro, executive director of Property of the People, said the August memo shows that DHS is steadily working to acquire new technology and legal privileges for law enforcement. He said that it has been made clear. But he said the impact on Americans’ civil liberties should not be justified simply by pointing to “vague and misleading threats.”
Words like “violent extremists” conjure up images of neo-Nazis or domestic terrorists seeking to incite a second civil war, but Shapiro said the government is trying to undermine animal rights groups at the behest of corporations. They also say that such labels are applied deceptively. He said activists have relied heavily on drones over the past decade to collect evidence of atrocities at factory farms. On factory farms, secret recordings are criminalized under so-called “ag-gag” laws.
At a briefing Saturday, FBI officials said the agency received about 5,000 drone tips related to sightings on the East Coast, ultimately yielding about 100 active leads. The officials said most reports were consistent, with misidentified planes taking off and landing at major airports in the region.
While the FBI sought to allay concerns arising from recent sightings, it urged Americans not to completely dismiss the idea that rogue drones pose a serious threat. “It is well known that criminals who violate the law actually use the following methods: [drones] We support their actions,” the official said, adding that recent widespread sightings, by contrast, appear to be largely benign.
In a statement to WIRED, a DHS spokesperson said the agency advises “federal, state, and local government partners to remain vigilant for potential threats and to notify local authorities of any suspicious activity.” We encourage the public to report this.”