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Amanda Losacco and Christopher Dodson
Presentation Title:
Eyes in the Sky: Privacy in the Future of Commercial Drone Operations
Amanda Losacco, Aviation Attorney, and Christopher Dodson, Member, Cozen O'Connor
Abstract:
From infrastructure inspections to urban mapping, drones collect volumes of visual, thermal, and geospatial data. As advances in sensor technology and AI-enabled predictive analytics expand the capabilities of drones, the legal frameworks governing privacy and surveillance continue to evolve. Recent litigation, emerging state law trends, and increasing public scrutiny have created a complex compliance landscape for operators seeking to balance innovation, legal risk, and efficiency. This presentation will examine privacy law challenges in commercial drone operations, including aerial data collection and surveillance. Through real-word examples and enforcement trends, attendees will gain practical strategies for identifying and mitigating privacy risks while maintaining operational effectiveness. Participants will leave with a practical framework for conducting ethical drone missions that reduce legal risk and promote greater community acceptance.
Losacco Bio:
Amanda Losacco is an aviation attorney with Cozen O’Connor in Washington, D.C. Her practice focuses on counseling aviation and aerospace clients on regulatory compliance, enforcement risk management, rulemaking, investigations, and litigation. She advises advanced air mobility operators and manufacturers, uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) operators, and other aerospace industry clients on matters before the Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, Transportation Security Administration, and Federal Communications Commission. Prior to entering private practice, Amanda served as an attorney adviser in the Federal Aviation Administration Office of the Chief Counsel, where she advised industry and agency personnel on aerospace regulatory compliance, licensing, certification, and operational issues, including matters involving new entrants and emerging technologies. Amanda regularly counsels clients on legal and policy issues affecting uncrewed aircraft systems and other emerging aviation technologies.
Dodson Bio:
As a partner in Cozen O'Connor's Technology, Privacy, & Data Security practice, Chris draws on his prior experience as a software engineer to address clients' concerns where technology intersects with the law. He advises clients on privacy and cybersecurity regulations, handles matters involving artificial intelligence, and negotiates technology contracts and data licenses. A leader in the area of technology, privacy, and data security, Chris has extensive experience advising clients on federal, state, and European privacy laws, including U.S. state comprehensive privacy laws, the EU GDPR, U.S. state biometric privacy laws, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the NYDFS Cybersecurity Regulation, and FFIEC and FTC privacy and cybersecurity regimes. Chris works with large and small clients that use or provide technology solutions, including companies in sectors such as financial services, financial technology, health care, online retail, brick-and-mortar retail, cloud services, software as a service (SaaS), software, mobile apps, blockchain, logistics, aviation, and more.