Deadline For Drone Owners To Register With FAA Is Here
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Time has run out to register that drone.
Despite facing lawsuits, the government is warning it will begin cracking down on people who haven't signed up.
The potential penalties are jaw-dropping: up to three years in prison and a quarter-million dollar fine. Serious consequences the Federal Aviation Administration says are warranted for a hobby that requires knowing where you can and can't fly.
All drones heavier than about a half-pound must be registered for a $5 fee. It's good for three years.
"It must be said that first of all, they're essentially taxing drone users," says Berin Szoka -- head of TechFreedom.
The libertarian think tank is suing the FAA over the regulations.
"They've bypassed the basic protections that are supposed to ensure regulatory agencies don't just regulate without getting public input," Szoka says.
Szoka's also concerned the drone owner database, like other government records, could be the target of hackers.