Tracking Drones

Does the government track me when I fly my drone?

Remote ID Requirements

The Federal Aviation Administration requires that drones be equipped with Remote ID

What it is Remote ID? Remote ID is like a digital license plate for drones. It broadcasts information about your drone's location and flight in real-time.
What does Remote ID share?
- Drone's location, altitude, and velocity.
- Operator's location (takeoff point).
- A unique identifier for the drone.
Who can see it?
- Authorized personnel, such as law enforcement or FAA representatives, can access this data to identify drones operating in restricted or unsafe areas.

Registration Information

If your drone is registered with the FAA, your registration information (name and contact details) is stored in their database. This allows authorities to trace a drone back to its owner if necessary.

Situational Tracking

In cases of violations (e.g., flying in restricted airspace, interfering with other aircraft, or unsafe operations), authorities may track and investigate your activity using Remote ID data, radar, or other surveillance methods.

Exemptions to Remote ID Tracking

If your drone is:
- Less than 0.55 lbs (250 grams) and used recreationally.
- Operated in areas exempt from Remote ID requirements (e.g., FAA-recognized identification areas or under specific waivers).

In these cases, there is typically no active tracking of your flight.

Privacy Concerns: While Remote ID increases accountability and safety, it has raised concerns about privacy, particularly regarding the visibility of the operator's location. To address this, access to detailed information is limited to authorized entities and is not broadly accessible to the public.