Protection Against Drone Use in Private Space Advocated

Legislation sponsored by a Northwest Missouri statehouse representative has passed in the Missouri House, and adds protections against drone aircraft invading private space. The Missouri House passed a bill Thursday, April 4, that would prohibit surveillance and observation by manned and unmanned aircraft and would specifically ban media from using drones to gather information from private individuals and businesses. The House heard extensive debate over the reach of the bill, as three amendments were adopted that expanded its scope. Rep. Casey Guernsey (R-Bethany) says he sponsored the bill in order to protect privacy. After learning about drones that had begun flying over farms in Iowa last year, Guernsey proposed the bill in an effort to preempt any actions that might be taken against Missouri citizens’ privacy. The bill would also apply to the press, as an amendment proposed by Rep. Paul Curtman, R-Pacific, would ban journalists, reporters and news organizations from using drones to gain information about  rivate individuals or businesses without consent. However, the bill does not bar the press from using drones over public places.