Drone Aircraft Privacy and Transparency Act of 2015

To amend the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to provide guidance and limitations regarding the integration of unmanned aircraft systems into United States airspace, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Drone Aircraft Privacy and Transparency Act of 2015 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) On February 14, 2012, President Obama signed the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 ( Public Law 112–95 49 U.S.C. 40101 drones (2) Unmanned aircraft systems have traditionally been used almost exclusively overseas by military and security organizations; however, State and local governments, businesses, and private individuals are increasingly using unmanned aircraft systems in the United States, including deployments for law enforcement operations. (3) As the technology advances and the cost decreases—unmanned aircraft systems are already orders of magnitude less expensive to purchase and operate than piloted aircraft—the market for Federal, State, and local government and commercial unmanned aircraft systems is rapidly growing. (4) It has been estimated there could be as many as 30,000 unmanned aircraft systems in the sky in the United States by 2020. (5) There will no doubt be many beneficial applications of this technology, for as Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said in a statement on March 7, 2012, Unmanned aircraft can help us meet a number of challenges, from spotting wildfires to assessing natural disasters. (6) However, there also is the potential for unmanned aircraft system technology to enable invasive and pervasive surveillance without adequate privacy protections, and currently, no explicit privacy protections or public transparency measures with respect to such system technology are built into the law. (7) Federal standards for informing the public and protecting individual privacy with respect to unmanned aircraft systems are needed. 3. Guidance and limitations regarding unmanned aircraft systems (a) In general Subtitle B of title III of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 ( Public Law 112–95 49 U.S.C. 40101 337. Privacy study and report (a) Study The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, and the Chief Privacy Officer of the Department of Homeland Security, shall carry out a study that identifies any potential threats to privacy protections posed by the integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system, including any potential violations of the privacy principles. (b) Report Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Transportation shall submit a report on the study conducted under subsection (a) to— (1) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives; and (2) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee on Environment and Public Works, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate. 338. Rulemaking As part of the rulemaking process required under section 332(b)(1) and the final rule adopted under such section, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish procedures to ensure that the integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system is done in compliance with the privacy principles. 339. Data collection statements and data minimization statements (a) In general Beginning on the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Transportation may not approve, issue, or award any certificate, license, or other grant of authority to operate an unmanned aircraft system in the national airspace system unless the application for such certificate, license, or other grant of authority includes— (1) a data collection statement in accordance with the requirements of subsection (b) that provides reasonable assurance that the applicant will operate the unmanned aircraft system in accordance with the privacy principles; and (2) in the case of such an unmanned aircraft system that is to be operated by a law enforcement agency or a law enforcement agency contractor or subcontractor, a data minimization statement in accordance with the requirements of subsection (c) that provides reasonable assurance that the applicant will operate the unmanned aircraft system in accordance with the privacy principles. (b) Data collection statement A data collection statement under subsection (a), with respect to an unmanned aircraft system, shall include information identifying— (1) the individuals or entities that will have the power to use the unmanned aircraft system; (2) the specific locations in which the unmanned aircraft system will operate; (3) the maximum period for which the unmanned aircraft system will operate in each flight; (4) whether the unmanned aircraft system will collect information or data about individuals or groups of individuals, and if so— (A) the circumstances under which the system will be used; and (B) the specific kinds of information or data the system will collect about individuals or groups of individuals and how such information or data, as well as conclusions drawn from such information or data, will be used, disclosed, and otherwise handled, including— (i) how the collection or retention of such information or data that is unrelated to the specified use will be minimized; (ii) whether such information or data might be sold, leased, or otherwise provided to third parties, and if so, under what circumstances it might be so sold or leased; (iii) the period for which such information or data will be retained; and (iv) when and how such information or data, including information or data no longer relevant to the specified use, will be destroyed; (5) the possible impact the operation of the unmanned aircraft system may have upon the privacy of individuals; (6) the specific steps that will be taken to mitigate any possible impact identified under paragraph (5), including steps to protect against unauthorized disclosure of any information or data described in paragraph (4), such as the use of encryption methods and other security features that will be used; (7) a telephone number or electronic mail address that an individual with complaints about the operation of the unmanned aircraft system may use to report such complaints and to request confirmation that personally identifiable data relating to such individual has been collected; (8) in a case in which personally identifiable data relating to an individual has been collected, a reasonable process for the individual to request to obtain such data in a timely and an intelligible manner; (9) in a case in which a request described in paragraph (8) is denied, a process by which the individual may obtain the reasons for the denial and challenge the denial; and (10) in a case in which personally identifiable data relating to an individual has been collected, a process by which the individual may challenge the accuracy of such data and, if the challenge is successful, have such data erased or amended. (c) Data minimization statement A data minimization statement described in this subsection, with respect to an unmanned aircraft system operated by a law enforcement agency, contractor, or subcontractor described in subsection (a)(2), shall detail the applicable— (1) policies adopted by the agency, contractor, or subcontractor, as the case may be, that— (A) minimize the collection by the unmanned aircraft system of information and data unrelated to the investigation of a crime under a warrant; (B) require the destruction of such information and data, as well as of information and data collected by the unmanned aircraft system that is no longer relevant to the investigation of a crime under a warrant or to an ongoing criminal proceeding; and (C) establish procedures for the method of such destruction; and (2) audit and oversight procedures adopted by the agency, contractor, or subcontractor, as the case may be, that will ensure that the agency, contractor, or subcontractor, as the case may be, uses the unmanned aircraft system in accordance with the parameters outlined in the data collection statement and the statement required by this subsection. 340. Disclosure of approved certificates, licenses, and other grants of authority (a) In general The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall make available on the public Internet website of the Federal Aviation Administration in a searchable format— (1) the approved certificate, license, or other grant of authority for each unmanned aircraft system awarded a certificate, license, or other grant of authority to operate in the national airspace system, including any such certificate, license, or other grant of authority awarded prior to the date of the enactment of this section; (2) information detailing where, when, and for what period each unmanned aircraft system will be operated; (3) information detailing any data security breach that occurs with regard to information collected by an unmanned aircraft system; and (4) in the case of a certificate, license, or other grant of authority awarded on or after the date of the enactment of this section to operate an unmanned aircraft system in the national airspace system, the data collection statement described in section 339(b) and, if applicable, the data minimization statement described in section 339(c) required with respect to such unmanned aircraft system. (b) Deadline The Administrator shall complete the requirements under subsection (a) with regard to each unmanned aircraft system— (1) in the case of a certificate, license, or other grant of authority awarded before the date of the enactment of this section, not later than 90 days after such date of enactment; and (2) in the case of a certificate, license, or other grant of authority awarded on or after the date of the enactment of this section, as soon as is practicable after the date of approval of such certificate, license, or other grant of authority. 341. Warrants required for generalized surveillance (a) In general A governmental entity (as defined in section 2711 of title 18, United States Code) may not use an unmanned aircraft system or request information or data collected by another person using an unmanned aircraft system for protective activities, or for law enforcement or intelligence purposes, except pursuant to a warrant issued using the procedures described in the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure (or, in the case of a State court, issued using State warrant procedures) by a court of competent jurisdiction, or as permitted under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 ( 50 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. (b) Exception (1) In general Subsection (a) shall not apply in exigent circumstances (as defined in paragraph (2)). (2) Exigent circumstances defined Exigent circumstances exist when— (A) a law enforcement entity reasonably believes there is an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury; or (B) a law enforcement entity reasonably believes there is a high risk of an imminent terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization and the Secretary of Homeland Security has determined that credible intelligence indicates there is such a risk. (3) Required documentation In the case of a person operating an unmanned aircraft system under the exception for exigent circumstances under paragraph (1), documentation justifying the exception shall be submitted to the Secretary of Transportation not later than 7 days after the date of the relevant unmanned aircraft system flight. (4) Information or data unrelated to exigent circumstances A person operating an unmanned aircraft system under the exception for exigent circumstances under paragraph (1) shall minimize the collection by the unmanned aircraft system of information and data unrelated to the exigent circumstances. If the unmanned aircraft system incidentally collects any such information or data while being operated under that exception, the person operating the unmanned aircraft system shall destroy the information and data. (5) Prohibition on information sharing A person may not intentionally divulge information collected in accordance with this section with any other person, except as authorized by law. (6) Prohibition on use as evidence If information has been collected by means of use of an unmanned aircraft system, no part of the contents of that information and no evidence derived from that information may be received in evidence in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding in or before any court, grand jury, department, officer, agency, regulatory body, legislative committee, or other authority of the United States, a State, or a political subdivision thereof unless that information is collected in accordance with this section. . (b) Definitions Section 331 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 ( Public Law 112–95 49 U.S.C. 40101 (1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (9) as paragraphs (7) through (13); (2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); (3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: (3) Law enforcement The term law enforcement (A) any entity of the United States or of a State, or political subdivision thereof, that is empowered by law to conduct investigations of or to make arrests for offenses; and (B) any entity or individual authorized by law to prosecute or participate in the prosecution of such offenses. ; and (4) by inserting after paragraph (4), as redesignated by paragraph (2), the following: (5) Privacy principles The term privacy principles Annex to the Recommendation of the Council of 23rd September 1980: Guidelines Governing The Protection Of Privacy And Transborder Flows Of Personal Data (6) Privacy protections The term privacy protections . 4. Enforcement (a) Prohibited conduct (1) In general It shall be unlawful for a person to operate an unmanned aircraft system in a manner that is not in accordance with the terms of a data collection statement submitted under section 339(a)(1) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, as added by section 3, or in a manner that violates any portion of the final rule required under section 332(b)(1) of such Act insofar as such portion relates to the procedures described in section 338 of such Act. (2) Regulations The Commission may promulgate regulations in accordance with section 553 of title 5, United States Code, to carry out paragraph (1) with respect to persons, partnerships, and corporations described in subsection (b)(3). (b) Enforcement by Federal Trade Commission (1) Unfair or deceptive acts or practices A violation of subsection (a) or the regulations promulgated under such subsection shall be treated as a violation of a regulation under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act ( 15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B) (2) Powers of Commission The Commission shall enforce subsection (a) and the regulations promulgated under such subsection in the same manner, by the same means, and with the same powers and duties as though all applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act ( 15 U.S.C. 41 et seq. Federal Trade Commission Act (3) Applicability Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall apply— (A) with respect to persons, partnerships, and corporations over which the Commission has jurisdiction under section 5(a)(2) of the Federal Trade Commission Act 15 U.S.C. 45(a)(2) (B) notwithstanding such section, with respect to air carriers and foreign air carriers. (c) Actions by States (1) Civil actions In any case in which the attorney general of a State, or an official or agency of a State, has reason to believe that an interest of the residents of that State has been or is threatened or adversely affected by an act or practice in violation of subsection (a) or a regulation promulgated under such subsection, or by the operation of an unmanned aircraft system in violation of the terms of a data minimization statement submitted under section 339(a)(2) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, as added by section 3, the State may bring a civil action on behalf of the residents of the State in an appropriate State court or an appropriate district court of the United States to— (A) enjoin the violation; (B) enforce compliance with such subsection, regulation, or statement; (C) obtain damages, restitution, or other compensation on behalf of residents of the State; or (D) obtain such other legal and equitable relief as the court may consider to be appropriate. (2) Notice Before filing an action under this subsection against a person, partnership, or corporation over which the Commission has jurisdiction under section 5(a)(2) of the Federal Trade Commission Act ( 15 U.S.C. 45(a)(2) (3) Authority of the Commission (A) In general On receiving notice under paragraph (2) of an action under this subsection, the Commission shall have the right— (i) to intervene in the action; (ii) upon so intervening, to be heard on all matters arising therein; and (iii) to file petitions for appeal. (B) Limitation on State action while Federal action is pending If the Commission or the Attorney General of the United States has instituted a civil action for violation of subsection (a) or a regulation promulgated under such subsection (referred to in this subparagraph as the Federal action (4) Rule of construction For purposes of bringing a civil action under this subsection, nothing in this Act or any amendment made by this Act shall be construed to prevent an attorney general, official, or agency of a State from exercising the powers conferred on the attorney general, official, or agency by the laws of that State to conduct investigations, administer oaths and affirmations, or compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of documentary and other evidence. (d) Private right of action (1) In general A person injured by an act in violation of subsection (a) or the regulations promulgated under such subsection, or by the operation of an unmanned aircraft system in violation of the terms of a data minimization statement submitted under section 339(a)(2) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, as added by section 3, may bring in an appropriate State court or an appropriate district court of the United States— (A) an action to enjoin such violation; (B) an action to recover damages for actual monetary loss from such violation, or to receive up to $1,000 in damages for each such violation, whichever is greater; or (C) both such actions. (2) Intentional violations If the defendant committed a violation described in paragraph (1), and intended to do so, the court may increase the amount of the award to an amount equal to not more than 3 times the amount available under paragraph (1)(B). (3) Costs The court shall award to a prevailing plaintiff in an action under this subsection the costs of such action and reasonable attorney’s fees, as determined by the court. (4) Limitation An action may be commenced under this subsection not later than 2 years after the date on which the person first discovered or had a reasonable opportunity to discover the violation. (5) Nonexclusive remedy The remedy provided by this subsection shall be in addition to any other remedies available to the person. (e) Suits against governmental entities Notwithstanding the Federal Trade Commission Act 15 U.S.C. 41 et seq. (f) License revocation The Federal Aviation Administration shall revoke the certificate, license, or other grant of authority to operate an unmanned aircraft system if such system is operated in a manner that— (1) is not in accordance with the terms of— (A) a data collection statement submitted under subsection (a)(1) of section 339 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, as added by section 3; or (B) a data minimization statement submitted under subsection (a)(2) of such section; or (2) violates any portion of the final rule required under section 332(b)(1) of such Act insofar as such portion relates to the procedures described in section 338 of such Act, as added by section 3. (g) Violations Each day on which each unmanned aircraft system is operated in violation of subsection (a), or the regulations promulgated under such subsection, or the terms of a data minimization statement submitted under section 339(a)(2) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, as added by section 3, shall be treated as a separate violation. (h) Definitions In this section: (1) Air carrier; foreign air carrier The terms air carrier foreign air carrier (2) Commission The term Commission (3) Law enforcement The term law enforcement (4) State The term State (5) Unmanned aircraft system The term unmanned aircraft system 49 U.S.C. 40101 5. Model aircraft provision Nothing in this Act may be construed to apply to model aircraft (as defined in section 336(c) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 ( Public Law 112–95 49 U.S.C. 40101

Summary: Drone Aircraft Privacy and Transparency Act of 2015 Amends the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to study and identify any potential threats to privacy protections posed by the integration of unmanned aircraft (drone) systems into the national airspace system, including any potential violations of privacy principles. Directs the Secretary to establish certain procedures to allow for civil operation in the national airspace system of small drone systems that do not meet expedited operational authorization requirements. Requires such procedures to ensure that the integration of drone systems into the national airspace system is done in compliance with privacy principles. Prohibits the Secretary from approving, issuing, or awarding any certificate, license, or other grant of authority to operate a drone system in the national airspace system unless the application for it includes a data collection statement, meeting certain requirements, that provides reasonable assurance that the applicant will operate the drone system in accordance with privacy principles. Applies the same privacy principles requirement to any drone system to be operated by a law enforcement agency or a law enforcement agency contractor or subcontractor, except that the application for it shall include a data minimization statement, meeting certain requirements, instead of a data collection statement. Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to make any approved certificate, license, or other grant of authority, plus other specified information, available in a searchable format on the public FAA website. Prohibits a governmental entity from using a drone system, or requesting information or data collected by another entity through use of a drone system, for protective activities, or for law enforcement or intelligence purposes, except pursuant to a warrant issued using the procedures described in the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure (or, in the case of a state court, issued using state warrant procedures) by a court of competent jurisdiction, or as permitted under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978. Makes an exception to this prohibition in exigent circumstances when a law enforcement entity reasonably believes there is: (1) an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury; or (2) a high risk of an imminent terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization, according to the Secretary of Homeland Security . Makes it unlawful to operate a drone system in a manner that is not in accordance with the terms of a data collection statement or in a manner violating any portion of the final rule for the procedures for civil operation of small drone systems required by this Act. Grants enforcement authority to the Federal Trade Commission . Authorizes a state to bring a civil action on behalf of state residents in state or U.S. district court for injunctive relief against violations of this Act or related regulations if the state attorney general has reason to believe that an interest of state residents has been or is threatened or adversely affected by a prohibited act or practice. Creates a private right of action in state or U.S. district court for persons injured by a prohibited act. Allows a suit against a governmental entity. Requires the FAA to revoke the certificate, license, or other grant of authority to operate a drone system operated in a prohibited manner. Declares that nothing in this Act may be construed to apply to model aircraft flown strictly for hobby or recreational purposes and meeting certain other criteria.