On Oct. 2^nd, 2018, it was reported that a drone flown in an area reserved for emergency aircraft disrupted the rescue operation of a boy who was attacked by a shark. Authorities stated that drone operator and former lifeguard David Steel was flying a drone off Encinitas Beach in San Diego when a 13-year-old boy was attacked by a shark while swimming with a friend. The helicopter that was transporting him to a nearby hospital for treatment was prevented from making a landing, delaying the rescue effort. The victim suffered life-threatening injuries but is expected to make a complete recovery.

Congress Passes Anti-Drone Bill

The Senate passed the FAA Reauthorization Act on Wednesday, Oct. 3^rd after it was approved by Congress in April. It’s not up to President Trump to sign it into effect with the White House already has expressed its support.

The bill, which guarantees to fund for the Federal Aviation Agency through 2023, also includes a provision allowing authorities to seize or destroy drones which may pose a credible threat to national security. Major tech firms such as GoPro welcomed the initiative, as did the Alliance for Drone Innovation (ADI). It’s likely to set a global precedent that will enable state security services to eliminate drones without the need to get a warrant. Up until now, targeting a drone, whether one presenting a security threat or just a recreational model, was strictly illegal and punishable by law.

Questions linger regarding cases such as the one that occurred in San Diego last week,   though, as authorities try to figure out ways to deal with recreational drones disrupting aircraft performing rescue operations. While there’s little question that security threats provide ample reason for destroying drones, targeting ones that get in the way of aircraft may pose a bigger problem when it comes to civil liberties.

SKYLOCK’s Offers Breadth of Solutions

SKYLOCK provides governments and security agencies a breadth of solutions for all possible drone issues ranging from ones trying to infiltrate a prison to terrorist attacks. The SKYLOCK advantage lies in its ability to provide clients with different parts of an integrated solution according to their unique needs. With laws authorizing security personnel to neutralize potentially dangerous drones coming into effect, SKYLOCK’s flexibility is likely to propel it to the forefront of the anti-drone industry.