On Thursday, a report detailed the activities of Flock Safety, a police-technology company that is offering its drones to private entities to monitor shoplifting incidents. Keith Kauffman, who previously served as a police chief and now oversees Flock’s drone initiatives, articulated a scenario where a security team at a store like Home Depot could deploy a drone to track suspected shoplifters to their vehicles, relaying live video to law enforcement.
This development has raised concerns among civil liberties advocates, who argue that it could enhance the surveillance capabilities of law enforcement without the necessary legal safeguards, such as warrants. Flock is currently embroiled in a federal lawsuit in Norfolk, Virginia, which addresses similar concerns regarding data collection by law enforcement.
The trajectory of drone usage in the U.S. will be significantly influenced by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, which dictate drone operation parameters and are expected to undergo changes. Presently, operators must obtain waivers to operate drones beyond the line of sight, aimed at minimizing risks of collisions. The FAA has been granting such waivers for specific purposes since 2018, and with Flock’s assistance, police departments can achieve approval for waivers in a shorter timeframe than private sector clients.
Industries reliant on drone technology, ranging from e-commerce to medical transport, have urged the government to revise the waiver system to allow broader operations beyond visual line of sight. In June, an executive order from President Donald Trump encouraged the push for streamlined drone operations, with the FAA releasing a proposed rule in August.
The proposed rule would facilitate drone operations in various sectors, including package delivery and policing, by simplifying the approval process for beyond-visual-line-of-sight flights. While proponents view this as a positive change, concerns remain regarding potential infringements on privacy rights, as voiced by organizations like the ACLU. Public comments on the FAA’s proposed rule are being accepted until October 6, with a final rule expected by spring 2026.
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/09/30/1124470/the-us-may-be-heading-toward-a-drone-filled-future/