Wyden, Heller Bill Requires Warrants For Aerial Surveillance

Press Release

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., today introduced the Protecting Individuals From Mass Aerial Surveillance Act, which requires the federal government to obtain a warrant when it conducts aerial surveillance in the United States.

As new technology like high-quality digital cameras, cellphone tracking equipment and low-cost unmanned aerial systems (UASs) have removed barriers to monitoring Americans from the air, this bipartisan legislation would create critical safeguards for Americans' privacy, while also providing certainty about the legal framework for aerial surveillance.

"Americans' privacy rights shouldn't stop at the treetops," Wyden said.

"Technology has made it possible to conduct round-the-clock aerial surveillance. The law needs to keep up," Wyden said. "Clear rules for when and how the federal government can watch Americans from the sky will provide critical certainty for the government, and help the unmanned aircraft industry reach its potential as an economic powerhouse in Oregon and the United States."

"Since my first days in Congress, I've fought to protect the privacy rights of Nevadans. As technological advancements continue to impact the daily lives of Americans, the civil liberties of the nation's citizens must not be infringed upon by the federal government. This legislation protects those inherent rights from being trampled by the government's intrusion from above and provides much needed clarity on what authority the federal government has related to aerial surveillance. I'd like to thank Senator Wyden for his leadership and hard work on this bipartisan legislation," said Senator Heller

Recent press reports have detailed numerous instances of aerial surveillance by the federal government. Under one program, the FBI has surveilled people in dozens of American cities without warrants, using a fleet of small airplanes.

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