Legal
Explore the legal aspects of drone technology. Stay informed on regulations, laws, and legal cases involving drones.
SFPD Drone Shot at in Outer Sunset: A Test for Police UAS Technology
On March 8, 2025, a tense standoff in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset neighborhood put the SFPD’s drone program under scrutiny. A suspect allegedly fired at a police drone—marking a potential first since the department began using unmanned aerial systems (UAS)…
Major Shakeup in Blue sUAS List: Eight Vendors Removed, Three New Added
As of March 6, 2025, the Blue sUAS Cleared List—a roster of U.S. government-approved drones—has undergone a dramatic update, shrinking from 15 vendors to 10 in just a week. According to a comparison of the list between February 28 and…
AVSS Unveils PRS-M4DT: A New Safety Net for DJI Dock 3 and Matrice 4D Drones
On a chilly morning in Canada, AVSS – Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions Inc. dropped news of their latest innovation: the PRS-M4DT, a parachute recovery system tailored for the DJI Dock 3. Announced via their official channels, this system—along with its…
DJI Dock 3 & Matrice 4D First Look – A More Rugged Autonomous System
You can tell that DJI’s dock system for their drones is maturing as a product line when you look at the improvements made between the Dock 2, which has been in service for about a year now, and the brand-new…
U.S. Drone Surveillance Flights Lead to Cartel Arrests in Mexico
Mexico’s top general has acknowledged that U.S. drone surveillance flights over Mexico have resulted in the arrests of at least two cartel leaders, underscoring a strengthening partnership between the two nations in combating organized crime. According to a report by…
Michigan Man Faces Felony Charges After Allegedly Shooting Down Police Drone
On February 11, 2025, a DJI Air 3 police drone operated by the Oscoda Township Police Department was allegedly shot down by a civilian during a tense standoff in Tawas Township, Michigan. The suspect, 21-year-old Alexander J. Bessey, now faces…
Boeing Moves to Sell Insitu Drone Unit as Part of Strategic Overhaul
Boeing has put its Insitu drone subsidiary on the market, signaling a significant shift in its business strategy as the aerospace giant seeks to divest non-core assets and refocus on its primary commercial and defense operations. The move, first reported…
Drone Hits Hilton Midtown: Safety Risks Rise in NYC
A hotel guest’s drone crashed into the New York Hilton Midtown early Friday, February 21, 2025, scattering debris across Sixth Avenue and prompting a temporary block closure—a drone incident that amplifies safety concerns in urban airspace, especially following DJI’s recent…
Arizona Proposes Law Enabling Police to Take Down Drug-Trafficking Drones Near Mexican Border
A new piece of legislation in Arizona could grant local law enforcement the authority to intercept and disable drones suspected of drug trafficking within 30 miles of the Mexican border. The bipartisan-supported measure reportedly addresses cartel drone operations while raising…
Thermal Drones Transform Wildlife Management with Advanced Search Capabilities
Virginia-based Captured Media operator Justin Updyke reports that thermal drone technology is revolutionizing deer recovery and herd management, with data showing 70 percent of located deer are found alive during recovery operations, reports North American White Tail. The technology, implemented…
Hong Kong Deploys AI-Powered Drones to Tackle Aging Building Crisis
Hong Kong’s Buildings Department has successfully deployed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to inspect 157 aging buildings in 2024, dramatically reducing inspection times compared to traditional methods, according to a report from the South China Morning Post. The department currently operates…
Drone Etiquette Guide: 7 Essential Rules for Responsible Pilots
The Drone Etiquette Guide includes these 7 essential rules for responsible drone pilots: Dronetiquette. That’s a totally made up word. But don’t worry, my intentions are good. One thing I always tell my students is “the best thing you can…
