Drones Over Cornell?

A report released by the Electronic Frontier Foundation shows that several years ago Cornell had been authorized by the Federal government to own and operate drones. Through a Freedom of Information request, the Foundation was able to obtain FAA records of domestic drone licenses. It turns out that among the various military and law-enforcement agencies licensed to operate drones were 19 universities, including Cornell.

While Cornell’s license has expired, many other schools – such as the Universities of Connecticut, Florida, Alaska, and Ohio, and even a community college – maintain active drone authorization. It is theorized that university licenses are related to research activities, and that the schools may be developing drone technology, but also that many schools’ strategic locations make them potential hubs for drone surveillance operations. However, the report states that the FAA has not yet released information on the types of drones being flown at each location, which could be used to determine their missions.

Drones – officially known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) – have become prevalent in the military, as they can be used for reconnaissance and even carry missiles without putting a pilot in danger. However, they have recently been acquired by many civilian law enforcement agencies,creating a controversy over privacy rights.