Drone Aircraft Privacy and Transparency Act of 2013
Latest action (19 Mar 2013): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 1262, the Drone Aircraft Privacy and Transparency Act of 2013, would amend the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to add privacy and disclosure requirements to the FAA's ongoing process of integrating unmanned aircraft systems (drones) into U.S. airspace. It would require the Secretary of Transportation to study privacy risks posed by drones and report to Congress, and to build privacy protections into the FAA's rulemaking on drone integration. Applicants for drone operating certificates would have to file "data collection statements" describing how information about individuals would be gathered, used, and destroyed; law enforcement applicants would additionally file "data minimization statements." The FAA would have to publish certificates, data statements, and security-breach information online. The bill also would generally require a warrant before drones are used for surveillance in law enforcement or intelligence contexts, with narrow exceptions for emergencies.
The bill affects the FAA, other federal agencies, state and local governments, businesses, and individuals operating or affected by drones, as well as law enforcement agencies and their contractors. It creates enforcement mechanisms through the Federal Trade Commission, state attorneys general, and a private right of action allowing individuals harmed by violations to sue for damages, and it authorizes revocation of a drone operator's FAA authorization for noncompliance.
The bill was introduced in the House on March 19, 2013, by Rep. Edward Markey and referred to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Energy and Commerce. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further in the 113th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Drone Aircraft Privacy and Transparency Act of 2013 - Amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to direct the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to study and identify any potential threats to privacy protections posed by the integration of unmanned aircraft (drone) systems into the national airspace system, including any potential violations of privacy principles.
Directs the Secretary to establish certain procedures to allow for civil operation in the national airspace system of small drone systems that do not meet expedited operational authorization requirements. Requires such procedures to ensure that the integration of drone systems into the national airspace system is done in compliance with privacy principles.
Prohibits the Secretary from approving, issuing, or awarding any certificate, license, or other grant of authority to operate a drone system in the national airspace system unless the application for it includes a data collection statement, meeting certain requirements, that provides reasonable assurance that the applicant will operate the drone system in accordance with privacy principles. Applies the same privacy principles requirement to any drone system to be operated by a law enforcement agency or a law enforcement agency contractor or subcontractor, except that the application for it shall include a data minimization statement, meeting certain requirements, instead of a data collection statement.
Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to make any approved certificate, license, or other grant of authority, plus other specified information, available in a searchable format on the public FAA website.
Prohibits any person or entity from using a drone system, or requesting information or data collected by another entity through use of a drone system, for protective activities, or for law enforcement or intelligence purposes, except pursuant to a warrant issued using the procedures described in the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure (or, in the case of a state court, issued using state warrant procedures) by a court of competent jurisdiction, or as otherwise provided in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978. Makes an exception to this prohibition in exigent circumstances when a law enforcement entity reasonably believes there is: (1) an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury; or (2) a high risk of a terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization, according to the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS).
Makes it unlawful to operate a drone system in a manner that is not in accordance with the terms of a data collection statement or in a manner violating any portion of the final rule for the procedures for civil operation of small drone systems required by this Act. Grants enforcement authority to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Authorizes a state to bring a civil action on behalf of state residents in state or U.S. district court for injunctive relief against violations of this Act or related regulations if the state attorney general has reason to believe that an interest of state residents has been or is threatened or adversely affected by a prohibited act or practice.
Creates a private right of action in state or U.S. district court for persons injured by a prohibited act.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 1262 do?
- H.R. 1262, the Drone Aircraft Privacy and Transparency Act of 2013, would amend the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to add privacy and disclosure requirements to the FAA's ongoing process of integrating unmanned aircraft systems (drones) into U.S. airspace. It would require the Secretary of Transportation to study privacy risks posed by drones and report to Congress, and to build privacy protections into the FAA's rulemaking on drone integration. Applicants for drone operating certificates would have to file "data collection statements" describing how information about individuals would be gathered, used, and destroyed; law enforcement applicants would additionally file "data minimization statements." The FAA would have to publish certificates, data statements, and security-breach information online. The bill also would generally require a warrant before drones are used for surveillance in law enforcement or intelligence contexts, with narrow exceptions for emergencies. The bill affects the FAA, other federal agencies, state and local governments, businesses, and individuals operating or affected by drones, as well as law enforcement agencies and their contractors. It creates enforcement mechanisms through the Federal Trade Commission, state attorneys general, and a private right of action allowing individuals harmed by violations to sue for damages, and it authorizes revocation of a drone operator's FAA authorization for noncompliance. The bill was introduced in the House on March 19, 2013, by Rep. Edward Markey and referred to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Energy and Commerce. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further in the 113th Congress.
- Has H.R. 1262 become law?
- Not yet. As of 19 Mar 2013, H.R. 1262 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 1262?
- H.R. 1262 was sponsored by Sen. Edward “Ed” Markey [D-MA] (Democrat-MA), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 1262?
- Introduced (19 Mar 2013).
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