DJI launching an app to allow ANYONE to view your flight info

[Mungmeister]

DJI FlySafe - AeroScope: Orchestrating the Sky

[PingSpike]

@PingSpike

I’ll upload some bedtime reading in to a new thread for the curious…

Here:

Anatomy of DJI Drone ID Implementation (re: AeroScope)

Continuing the discussion from DJI launching what? Turns out this isn’t as common knowledge as I thought, so here’s a thread to give you some insight in to what your DJI drone is currently broadcasting for the world to see. Further to this 2017 press release about AeroScope: DJI Demonstrates ‘Drone License Plate’ Technology And Drone Pilot Knowledge Quiz Here’s how your DJI firmware has been broadcasting your take off location, RTH location, current speed, altitude and all sorts of other in…

And @Mungmeister - I’ve moved your post to the existing thread on the subject

[stevesb]

Just in case anyone is interested there is a change.org petition to try and get it stopped.
Highly unlikely but here’s a link.

Sign the Petition

[sjukes69]

Going to be signing that

[sunstone]

Its amazing how quickly these petitions get raised.

[sjukes69]

Think needed - this is not acceptable in my eyes. It is just opening up a pilots location for people who just want to cause trouble / rob you

[stubbyd]

@milkmanchris

.700 is your friend

You’re going to have to explain that one for me please?

[TassyWass]

An early firmware

[milkmanchris]

@stubbyd

You’re going to have to explain that one for me please?

@TassyWass

An early firmware

Well in a nutshell yes.

It allowed the modification of lots of parameters using DJI assistant, you could ‘mod’ the drone to go higher, faster, further and take off in places where it may otherwise wouldn’t.

At one point there was a mini ‘war’ between DJI programmers and the rebel forces, it was a fun time.

[callum]

@stevesb

Highly unlikely but here’s a link.

No harm in trying.

On the data protection argument it’s all down to what you consent to share with DJI and allow them to share with others.

If it’s not already in their privacy policy it will probably be added and you will need to accept to continue using the service.

Flight data is not about an individual so probably not covered under GDPR but users current location might be.

But it’s all irrelevant if you consent for the data to be shared .

You can always request for them to stop processing data but would need to stop using the service.

It’s one of those take it or leave it scenarios.

[robwakefield99]

@callum

On the data protection argument it’s all down to what you consent to share with DJI and allow them to share with others.

Surely

If you purchase, as I did a dji drone with no knowledge or information given that you would have to agree there terms in order to fly it “ does that not infringe on your rights”.

Could a dji owner ask for a full refund due to the fact that they can’t fly it without being tracked and lose there personal privacy, I wonder how that would stand.

To me it seems technology is going a bit too fast without proper forethought or consideration of privacy, ie; car trackers, phone trackers, public monitoring cameras ( far more than other countries) facial recognition ( unless you sport a beard) retina scanning, drone tracking and I could go on and on, but isn’t it all just getting out of hand.

And that’s not even mentioning Alexa!!

[Nidge]

In a previous life I had to work to very strict guidelines, to disregard these guidelines could have resulted in a very long stretch at Her Majesty’s Pleasure.

These enforceable guidelines were laid out in the The Interception of Communications Act (IOCA) and the “Misuse Of Computers” Act.

DJI May have a handle on data use laid out in their terms and conditions but I’d be very surprised if the authorities, without having a major bill passed through Parliament, would be so enamoured about a Chinese company passing on customer data to anonymous and unregulated third parties.

Regards

Nidge.

[Nidge]

Just to add to the above, a member of the public is only permitted to intercept transmissions from recognised broadcast entities and radio amateurs. All other intercepts require the appropriate permissions which are not granted freely. EG. My home WiFi network is a type of broadcast entity and even if unencrypted it is still a major offence to promiscuously intercept the traffic on that network, and an even greater offence to use that data.

Regards

Nidge.

[sunstone]

@robwakefield99

@callum

On the data protection argument it’s all down to what you consent to share with DJI and allow them to share with others.

To me it seems technology is going a bit too fast without proper forethought or consideration of privacy, ie; car trackers, phone trackers, public monitoring cameras ( far more than other countries) facial recognition ( unless you sport a beard) retina scanning, drone tracking and I could go on and on, but isn’t it all just getting out of hand.

And that’s not even mentioning Alexa!!

Im in total agreement here. Too much man, too much!

[callum]

@robwakefield99

If you purchase, as I did a dji drone with no knowledge or information given that you would have to agree there terms in order to fly it “ does that not infringe on your rights”.

Could a dji owner ask for a full refund due to the fact that they can’t fly it without being tracked and lose there personal privacy, I wonder how that would stand.

Possibly mate.

Might even turn out the feature is only available in certain regions where privacy laws are slacker such as USA.

Might be worth an email to ICO to get their take on the matter.

[sjukes69]

That is an interesting point

[robwakefield99]

Just sent dji this after checking out ICO site.
Not the best of letters but let’s see.

Being new to drones I registered my mavic 2 pro and in order to fly it I have to use your app, but I have to agree in order to use it.
I now find that there is or will be an app for mobiles whereby someone can open it and see where I am and all or most flight data.
As much as I am a sensible flyer and fully registered I am in disagreement with the use of this app and the gathering of that information as it infringes my personal privacy.
I would therefore request that you remove and exclude me from its use and any collection of data relating to me.
Upon your response I will determine whether to inform the ICO of my concerns.
I am also concerned that these drones are sold with no notification that your data will be collected and broadcast and on that I am considering requesting a refund.
I do not like being spied on when I am out having fun pursuing a hobby.
Regards Rob Wakefield.

[PingSpike]

@Nidge

a member of the public is only permitted to intercept transmissions from recognised broadcast entities and radio amateurs. All other intercepts require the appropriate permissions

I guess it depends on your definition of the word intercept.

If your drone is 400ft up in the air and broadcasting all your details to anyone within listening range, they’re not really intercepting anything.

[sjukes69]

Please let us all know if you get a reply

[sunstone]

Can see Joe Public reporting drone use when theyre able to spot drone on their phones.

There’ll probably be a button on the DJI app to email/contact/report 'us’to the local anti-drone Police force. (Why not eh DJI?)

It’ll be tweeted and posted on the most popular facebook page to garner loads of attention. A map location will be posted so many many folk are made aware of just where we currently are ‘droning’.

Thank god there isnt a ‘know where your neighbour is having dump’ app.