Het dilemma van de drone in Connecticut: de balans vinden tussen veiligheid en kosten

Fears Over Foreign Drones Stir Legislative Action

In a move that’s raising eyebrows and igniting debates, Connecticut is on the verge of banning towns from purchasing drones manufactured in China en Rusland. This proposed legislation, spearheaded by top state Senate Democrats, aims to shield the state from potential foreign espionage and cyber threats. Yet, amidst the swirling concerns, evidence remains elusive, leaving many to wonder if the fear is outpacing the facts.

The Heart of the Matter: Security vs. Evidence

Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff and Senate President Pro Tem Martin Looney have sounded the alarm in a letter to municipal leaders, cautioning against the hidden dangers of foreign-made drones, reports CT Insider. They claim these devices could serve as Trojan horses, sneaking proprietary information back to their Landen of origin.

“We would like to point out that the FBI, the U.S. Ministerie van Binnenlandse Veiligheid, Congress, President Biden and former President Trump have all stated that these devices do pose significant risks and have implemented policies to ban these drones,” the letter reportedly said. “Moreover, it is the drone hardware itself that presents the security risk, as the security software updates for Chinese-made drones are controlled by Chinese entities that can introduce unknown data collection and transmission capabilities without the user’s awareness.” 

Despite these dire warnings, the hard evidence to back up these claims seems to be in short supply. Duff even acknowledges the somewhat “conspiratorial” tone of the allegations but insists they stem from credible FBI insights.

“At some point the software gets uploaded. Even if they say it doesn’t, it does. What we’ve seen in other states with these Chinese-made drones is where they have hacked in and frozen electrical systems in Texas hospitals, schools and, according to the FBI, this is all about when China invades Taiwan, which sounds so conspiratorial. That almost sounds ridiculous. But this is what we’re hearing from the FBI,” Duff said. 

Local officials and Eerstehulpverleners, who’ve come to rely on drones for everything from firefighting to Zoeken en redden, find themselves in a tight spot. The cost of replacing these essential tools is not trivial, and many are calling for a more nuanced approach that balances security concerns with practical needs. Betsy Gara, expressing municipal worries, stresses the importance of using drones safely without incurring prohibitive expenses.

A Tale of Two Perspectives

On one side of the aisle, Duff and Looney advocate for a cautious approach, aiming to preemptively curb the use of Chinese and Russian drones before they pose an irreparable threat. They point to nationwide actions and statements from the highest levels of government as justification for their caution.

“Local law enforcement and Brandweer have invested considerable funds in purchasing drones, many of which have been manufactured by Chinese,” Connecticut Council of Small Towns Executive Director Betsy Gara said. “To replace those would be cost prohibitive. We’re looking at opportunities to ensure that the drones are used in such a way that they don’t pose cybersecurity risks.”

Conversely, voices like Michael Shabenas, fire chief at the Dayville Fire Company, highlight the operational void that would ensue should these drones be abruptly banned. DJI, the Chinese company in the spotlight, defends its products, asserting that its drones are designed for civilian use and vehemently denying any military affiliations.

“We want to make sure that we stop buying them and when the lifecycle of these current drones are done, they don’t buy more Chinese drones,” Duff said. “I’m not sure that people understand the severity or the real risk of having these drones. We’re not saying take a hammer to them tomorrow.”

Looking Ahead: A Compromise in Sight?

Connecticut is not alone in its apprehensions; other states have enacted similar bans, with Florida even setting aside funds to aid agencies in transitioning away from these controversial drones. This suggests a pathway where security concerns are addressed without hamstringing the operational capabilities of local agencies.

“Our [DJI] drones are used for public safety purposes including (but not limited to): structural fires, wildland/forest fires, and search and rescue operations,” Michael Shabenas, fire chief at the Dayville Fire Company in Killingly said. “Losing that operational capability would be detrimental to our ability to protect life and provide for incident stabilization and property conservation.”

As Connecticut wrestles with this decision, the debate underscores a larger issue at play: the struggle to navigate the murky waters of technological advancement amid geopolitical tensions. The challenge lies in finding a middle ground where the state can protect itself from genuine threats without succumbing to unfounded fears or incurring unnecessary costs.

While the intentions behind the proposed drone ban are clear, the path forward is anything but. With a lack of concrete evidence and looming financial implications, Connecticut’s decision will likely set a precedent for how states balance the promise and peril of modern technology. As this situation unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between security, innovation, and the ever-present shadow of international politics.

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