FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 28, 2012
CONTACT:
Amie Stepanovich
202.483.1140 x 120
EPIC, COALITION LAUNCH PETITION TO ADDRESS PRIVACY THREAT POSED BY DRONES IN US
AIRSPACE
WASHINGTON, D.C. – EPIC, joined by more than 100 organizations, experts, and
members of the public, has sent a petition to the Federal Aviation
Administration, urging the agency to address the privacy threats associated
with the increased use of drones in the United States.
Congress recently passed legislation requiring the Agency to assess the safety
of drones used by commercial and government operators.
The petition asserts that “The privacy threat posed by the deployment of
drone aircraft in the United States is great. The public should be given the
opportunity to comment on this development.”
Over 100 organizations, experts, and members of the public signed on to support
EPIC’s petition, including Bob Barr and Ralph Nader, two former candidates for
President, widely known for their efforts to safeguard privacy.
Separately, EPIC is also encouraging the White House to require the FAA to
develop privacy standards. Individuals can support that effort.
The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) is a non-profit, public
interest research organization, established in 1994, to focus public attention
on emerging privacy issues.
LINKS
EPIC, Drones
http://www.epic.org/drones/
EPIC, FAA Privacy Drone Petition
http://epic.org/privacy/drones/FAA-553e-Petition-v-1.1.pdf
EPIC, White House Petition
http://wh.gov/9xq