50 companies, universities, and govt agencies developing unpiloted aircraft:
In a lawsuit filed on Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the Electronic Frontier Foundation argues that federal agencies have been slow to publicize the expanding use of drones to watch Americans.
"The use of drones in American airspace could dramatically increase the physical tracking of citizens - tracking that can reveal deeply personal details about our private lives," EFF staff attorney Jennifer Lynch said in a statement.
The lawsuit against the Transportation Department and its Federal Aviation Administration comes after Freedom of Information requests failed to provide the requested information, EFF said in its complaint.
The FAA restricts recreational unpiloted aircraft, such as remote-controlled airplanes, to below 400 feet. For more high-performance aircraft, like those used by law enforcement, the FAA requires a special permit.
According to the FAA, as of last year about 50 companies, universities, and government agencies were developing and producing roughly 155 different kinds of unpiloted aircraft.
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