FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2013
CONTACT
Holly Weatherford, ACLU of Kansas
(816) 756-3113 x.234; [email protected]
LAWRENCE, Kansas – The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and Western Missouri is voicing its support for a proposed resolution addressing concerns raised by domestic drones at the Lawrence City Commission Meeting tonight, September 24, at 6:35pm. The following can be attributed to Gary Brunk, executive director of the ACLU of Kansas and Western Missouri:
“While Congress has required the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to open domestic airspace more widely to drones by 2015, the FAA has indicated that its mandate is airspace safety, not privacy. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the City Commission to protect the privacy of Lawrence residents and ensure that we can enjoy the benefits of this technology without bringing us closer to a “surveillance society,” in which everyone’s move is monitored, tracked, recorded, and scrutinized by authorities.
“Drone technology brings with it many opportunities – from more affordable ways to gather information for traffic reports to more efficient ways to counting bison grazing the prairie. Unregulated, however, drone operations could interfere with residents’ reasonable expectation of privacy and chill First Amendment-protected activities. Before drones become ubiquitous in our airspace, we need clear rules so that we can enjoy the benefits of this technology without needlessly sacrificing our privacy and liberty.
“We look forward to working with the commissioners on a resolution that prioritizes the constitutional rights of Lawrence residents. We will also continue working with the Kansas Legislature to place appropriate safeguards on the use of drones into law.”
####
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2013
CONTACT
Holly Weatherford, ACLU of Kansas
(816) 756-3113 x.234; [email protected]
LAWRENCE, Kansas – The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and Western Missouri is voicing its support for a proposed resolution addressing concerns raised by domestic drones at the Lawrence City Commission Meeting tonight, September 24, at 6:35pm. The following can be attributed to Gary Brunk, executive director of the ACLU of Kansas and Western Missouri:
“While Congress has required the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to open domestic airspace more widely to drones by 2015, the FAA has indicated that its mandate is airspace safety, not privacy. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the City Commission to protect the privacy of Lawrence residents and ensure that we can enjoy the benefits of this technology without bringing us closer to a “surveillance society,” in which everyone’s move is monitored, tracked, recorded, and scrutinized by authorities.
“Drone technology brings with it many opportunities – from more affordable ways to gather information for traffic reports to more efficient ways to counting bison grazing the prairie. Unregulated, however, drone operations could interfere with residents’ reasonable expectation of privacy and chill First Amendment-protected activities. Before drones become ubiquitous in our airspace, we need clear rules so that we can enjoy the benefits of this technology without needlessly sacrificing our privacy and liberty.
“We look forward to working with the commissioners on a resolution that prioritizes the constitutional rights of Lawrence residents. We will also continue working with the Kansas Legislature to place appropriate safeguards on the use of drones into law.”
####