How Are Drones Regulated

While drones have long been in operation in multiple shapes and sizes, particularly in the military, for the average person, it is only recently that they have moved to become part of everyday life. As their use continues to expand, countries are seeking to keep their legislation up to date, developing tailored regulations to address current and future concerns, particularly regarding the potential impact of this technology on privacy.

As this infographic shows, based on information compiled by online privacy and security company Surfshark, the severity of existing restrictions on the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles varies considerably from country to country. Latin America is a clear example of this, as laws regarding the use of drones in the region can range from a total ban as is the case in Nicaragua and Cuba, to no restrictions at all as in Panama, Venezuela, and Argentina.In Mexico and Brazil, on the other hand, pilots are allowed to fly these vehicles without a permit, as long as they remain in sight.

As noted by the source: "While the bulk of countries around the world require drone pilots to be able to see the UAV at all times, 33 percent of countries in North America allow for experimental drone flights beyond the line of sight," adding: “The largest share of any continent and far above the 22 percent global average.” This is potentially due to the myriad of tech companies researching ways to use drones as part of delivery infrastructure, for example.