In the memo obtained by WIRED, DHS displays little confidence in its ability to detect dangerous drones. The document, which officials were instructed not to make public, states that “tactics and techniques to evade counter-UAS capabilities are disseminated and sold online with little or no regulation.” In fact, police's ability to track errant drones is hindered by a range of evolving technologies, the memo said, including “autonomous flight, 5G command and control, jamming security techniques, swarming techniques and software Which disable geofencing restrictions.”
The mystery in New Jersey and similar incidents in other states, including Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland, have highlighted ongoing efforts by state and federal legislators to expand the government's access to counter-UAS technology. Speaking to reporters via Zoom on Saturday, a DHS official said the agency is urging Congress to “extend and extend existing counter-drone authorities,” and ensure that “state and local authorities be provided with the necessary equipment to respond to such threats.” ,
Currently, only a handful of federal agencies – including DHS and the departments of Energy, Justice and Defense – are legally allowed to down drones inside US airspace.
Estate of People's Executive Director Ryan Shapiro says the August memo makes clear that DHS is constantly working to acquire new technologies and legal privileges for law enforcement. But he says any impact on Americans' civil liberties should not be justified simply by pointing to a “vague, deceptively constructed threat.”
While terms like “violent extremist” conjure images of neo-Nazis and domestic terrorists hoping to instigate a second American civil war, Shapiro says the government misleadingly uses such labels to help undermine animal rights groups. Have also installed. at the behest of corporationsHe says workers have relied heavily on drones to help over the past decade Gather evidence of cruelty on factory farms-Where secret recording has been criminalized under so-called “eg-gag” laws.
During Saturday's briefing, FBI officials said authorities had received nearly 5,000 drone tips regarding the East Coast sightings, ultimately yielding about 100 viable leads. He said most reports appear to be consistent with misidentified flights landing and taking off at major airports in the region.
While the FBI worked to address concerns raised by the recent sightings, it also urged Americans not to completely dismiss the idea that rogue drones pose a serious threat. “It is well known to us that criminals who break the law actually use [drones] To support their actions,” one official said, adding that, in contrast, recent widespread views appear largely benign.
In a statement to WIRED, a DHS spokesperson said the agency is “advising federal, state and local partners to remain alert to potential threats and encouraging the public to report any suspicious activity to local authorities Is.”