Technology
Mapped: Drone Privacy Laws Around the World
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Mapped: Drone Privacy Laws Around the World
View the high-resolution of the infographic by clicking here.
From Olympic opening ceremonies to public safety, drone applications have come a long way.
In fact, their modern applications are set to almost double the total value of the commercial drone market from $22.5 billion to $42.8 billion between 2020-2025, at a 13.8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
Naturally, such diverse and complex uses can go quickly awry if not monitored and regulated correctly by governments—yet in some cases, it’s because of governments that drones’ uses border on sinister.
This in-depth map from Surfshark explores the murky guidelines surrounding drone privacy laws around the world, and some case studies of how they’re used in every region.
How Are Drone Privacy Laws Classified?
According to the map researchers, drone and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) regulations typically fall into one of the following buckets:
- Outright ban
- Effective ban
- Visual line of sight required
Pilots need to be able to see the drones at all times, and must usually obtain a license or permit - Experimental visual line of sight
Pilots can let the drone fly outside their field of vision e.g. during a race - Restrictions apply
Drones need to be registered, and/or additional observers are required - Unrestricted
When drones are flown around private property and airports, and under 500 feet (150 meters) - No drone-related legislation
Categories are assigned based on legislation as of October 2020.
Clearly, there is some overlap among these categories. They are highly dependent on judgment calls made by specific legal authorities, and change based on what a drone is being used for.
Explore the drone privacy laws in your specific country here:
Country/Territory | Continent | Drone Legal Status (Oct. 2020) |
---|---|---|
Afghanistan | Asia | Unrestricted |
Albania | Europe | No drone-related legislation |
Algeria | Africa | Outright ban |
Andorra | Europe | Visual line of sight required |
Angola | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Antigua and Barbuda | North America | Experimental visual line of sight |
Argentina | South America | Unrestricted |
Armenia | Europe | No drone-related legislation |
Aruba | North America | Visual line of sight required |
Australia | Oceania | Experimental visual line of sight |
Austria | Europe | Unrestricted |
Azerbaijan | Europe | Visual line of sight required |
Bahamas, The | North America | Unrestricted |
Bahrain | Asia | No drone-related legislation |
Bangladesh | Asia | Unrestricted |
Barbados | North America | Outright ban |
Belarus | Europe | No drone-related legislation |
Belgium | Europe | Visual line of sight required |
Belize | North America | Effective ban |
Benin | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Bermuda | North America | Visual line of sight required |
Bhutan | Asia | Effective ban |
Bolivia | South America | No drone-related legislation |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Europe | No drone-related legislation |
Botswana | Africa | Visual line of sight required |
Brazil | South America | Visual line of sight required |
Brunei Darussalam | Asia | Outright ban |
Bulgaria | Europe | Effective ban |
Burkina Faso | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Burundi | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Cabo Verde | Africa | Visual line of sight required |
Cambodia | Asia | No drone-related legislation |
Cameroon | Africa | Visual line of sight required |
Canada | North America | Experimental visual line of sight |
Cayman Islands | North America | Experimental visual line of sight |
Central African Republic | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Chad | Africa | Unrestricted |
Chile | South America | Visual line of sight required |
China | Asia | Experimental visual line of sight |
Colombia | South America | Visual line of sight required |
Comoros | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Congo, Dem. Rep. | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Congo, Rep. | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Costa Rica | North America | Visual line of sight required |
Cote d'Ivoire | Africa | Outright ban |
Croatia | Europe | Visual line of sight required |
Cuba | North America | Outright ban |
Curacao | North America | Visual line of sight required |
Cyprus | Europe | Visual line of sight required |
Czech Republic | Europe | Experimental visual line of sight |
Denmark | Europe | Experimental visual line of sight |
Djibouti | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Dominica | North America | No drone-related legislation |
Dominican Republic | North America | Visual line of sight required |
Ecuador | South America | Visual line of sight required |
Egypt, Arab Rep. | Africa | Effective ban |
El Salvador | North America | No drone-related legislation |
Equatorial Guinea | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Eritrea | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Estonia | Europe | Unrestricted |
Ethiopia | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Faroe Islands | Europe | Unrestricted |
Fiji | Oceania | Visual line of sight required |
Finland | Europe | Experimental visual line of sight |
France | Europe | Experimental visual line of sight |
Gabon | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Gambia, The | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Georgia | Europe | Visual line of sight required |
Germany | Europe | Experimental visual line of sight |
Ghana | Africa | Experimental visual line of sight |
Gibraltar | Europe | Effective ban |
Greece | Europe | Unrestricted |
Greenland | North America | Visual line of sight required |
Grenada | North America | No drone-related legislation |
Guam | Oceania | Unrestricted |
Guatemala | North America | No drone-related legislation |
Guinea | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Guinea-Bissau | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Guyana | South America | Experimental visual line of sight |
Haiti | North America | No drone-related legislation |
Honduras | North America | No drone-related legislation |
Hong Kong SAR, China | Asia | Visual line of sight required |
Hungary | Europe | Unrestricted |
Iceland | Europe | Visual line of sight required |
India | Asia | Visual line of sight required |
Indonesia | Asia | Visual line of sight required |
Iran, Islamic Rep. | Asia | Outright ban |
Iraq | Asia | Outright ban |
Ireland | Europe | Experimental visual line of sight |
Israel | Asia | Visual line of sight required |
Italy | Europe | Visual line of sight required |
Jamaica | North America | Visual line of sight required |
Japan | Asia | Experimental visual line of sight |
Jordan | Asia | Unrestricted |
Kazakhstan | Europe | No drone-related legislation |
Kenya | Africa | Effective ban |
Kiribati | Oceania | No drone-related legislation |
Korea, Dem. People’s Rep. | Asia | No drone-related legislation |
Korea, Rep. | Asia | Visual line of sight required |
Kosovo | Europe | Visual line of sight required |
Kuwait | Asia | Outright ban |
Kyrgyz Republic | Asia | Outright ban |
Lao PDR | Asia | Unrestricted |
Latvia | Europe | Unrestricted |
Lebanon | Asia | No drone-related legislation |
Lesotho | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Liberia | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Libya | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Liechtenstein | Europe | Experimental visual line of sight |
Lithuania | Europe | Visual line of sight required |
Luxembourg | Europe | Visual line of sight required |
Macao SAR, China | Asia | Visual line of sight required |
Madagascar | Africa | Outright ban |
Malawi | Africa | Visual line of sight required |
Malaysia | Asia | Effective ban |
Maldives | Asia | Effective ban |
Mali | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Malta | Europe | Unrestricted |
Marshall Islands | Oceania | No drone-related legislation |
Mauritania | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Mauritius | Africa | Visual line of sight required |
Mexico | North America | Visual line of sight required |
Micronesia, Fed. Sts. | Oceania | No drone-related legislation |
Moldova | Europe | No drone-related legislation |
Monaco | Europe | Unrestricted |
Mongolia | Asia | No drone-related legislation |
Montenegro | Europe | Visual line of sight required |
Morocco | Africa | Outright ban |
Mozambique | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Myanmar | Asia | Effective ban |
Namibia | Africa | Visual line of sight required |
Nauru | Oceania | No drone-related legislation |
Nepal | Asia | Visual line of sight required |
Netherlands | Europe | Visual line of sight required |
New Caledonia | Oceania | No drone-related legislation |
New Zealand | Oceania | Experimental visual line of sight |
Nicaragua | North America | Outright ban |
Niger | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Nigeria | Africa | Effective ban |
North Macedonia | Europe | Visual line of sight required |
Norway | Europe | Visual line of sight required |
Oman | Asia | Effective ban |
Pakistan | Asia | No drone-related legislation |
Palau | Oceania | No drone-related legislation |
Panama | North America | Unrestricted |
Papua New Guinea | Oceania | Visual line of sight required |
Paraguay | South America | No drone-related legislation |
Peru | South America | Visual line of sight required |
Philippines | Asia | Visual line of sight required |
Poland | Europe | Experimental visual line of sight |
Portugal | Europe | Experimental visual line of sight |
Puerto Rico | North America | Experimental visual line of sight |
Qatar | Asia | Unrestricted |
Romania | Europe | Visual line of sight required |
Russian Federation | Europe | Experimental visual line of sight |
Rwanda | Africa | Experimental visual line of sight |
Samoa | Oceania | No drone-related legislation |
San Marino | Europe | No drone-related legislation |
Sao Tome and Principe | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Saudi Arabia | Asia | Experimental visual line of sight |
Senegal | Africa | Outright ban |
Serbia | Europe | Unrestricted |
Seychelles | Africa | Visual line of sight required |
Sierra Leone | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Singapore | Asia | Experimental visual line of sight |
Sint Maarten (Dutch part) | North America | Experimental visual line of sight |
Slovak Republic | Europe | Visual line of sight required |
Slovenia | Europe | Outright ban |
Solomon Islands | Oceania | Visual line of sight required |
Somalia | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
South Africa | Africa | Experimental visual line of sight |
South Sudan | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Spain | Europe | Experimental visual line of sight |
Sri Lanka | Asia | Experimental visual line of sight |
St. Kitts and Nevis | North America | No drone-related legislation |
St. Lucia | North America | Unrestricted |
St. Martin (French part) | North America | Experimental visual line of sight |
St. Vincent and the Grenadines | North America | No drone-related legislation |
Sudan | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Suriname | South America | No drone-related legislation |
Swaziland | Africa | Visual line of sight required |
Sweden | Europe | Unrestricted |
Switzerland | Europe | Unrestricted |
Syrian Arab Republic | Asia | Outright ban |
Taiwan | Asia | Visual line of sight required |
Tajikistan | Asia | No drone-related legislation |
Tanzania | Africa | Visual line of sight required |
Thailand | Asia | Visual line of sight required |
Timor-Leste | Asia | No drone-related legislation |
Togo | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Tonga | Oceania | No drone-related legislation |
Trinidad and Tobago | North America | Experimental visual line of sight |
Tunisia | Africa | No drone-related legislation |
Turkey | Europe | Unrestricted |
Turkmenistan | Asia | No drone-related legislation |
Turks and Caicos Islands | North America | Unrestricted |
Tuvalu | Oceania | No drone-related legislation |
Uganda | Africa | Experimental visual line of sight |
Ukraine | Europe | Visual line of sight required |
United Arab Emirates | Asia | Visual line of sight required |
United Kingdom | Europe | Experimental visual line of sight |
United States | North America | Experimental visual line of sight |
Uruguay | South America | Visual line of sight required |
Uzbekistan | Asia | Outright ban |
Vanuatu | Oceania | Visual line of sight required |
Venezuela, RB | South America | Unrestricted |
Vietnam | Asia | Unrestricted |
Yemen, Rep. | Asia | No drone-related legislation |
Zambia | Africa | Visual line of sight required |
Zimbabwe | Africa | Experimental visual line of sight |
So How Are Drones Used Worldwide?
The myriad of drone uses are literally and metaphorically up in the air—while they originated in military needs, drone uses now range from hobbies such as aerial photography to supporting disaster relief.
The following regional maps show privacy laws in closer detail, while also highlighting interesting case studies on how drones are used.
North America
Click here for the high-resolution version of this graphic.
According to the latest drone numbers, 70.5% of registered U.S. drones are recreational, but these proportions may soon decline in favor of commercial uses. As of December 2020, civilian drones are allowed to fly over populated areas, a step towards fulfilling their potential in package delivery.
Meanwhile, countries like Mexico are beginning to rely on drones to combat crime, with good results. In the city of Ensenada, a single drone’s surveillance patrol resulted in a 10% drop in overall crime rates in 2018. Drones are increasingly being used to monitor illicit activity such as drug trafficking routes.
South America
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Interestingly, the environmental applications of drones come into play in the Amazon rainforest. An indigenous tribe in Brazil is using drones to track levels of deforestation and forest fires—and presenting that data evidence to authorities to urge them to act.
Across the continent, drones are also in place to deliver everything from hospital supplies to life jackets in Chile and El Salvador.
Europe
Click here for the high-resolution version of this graphic.
The first unmanned, radio-controlled aircraft test flight occurred in the United Kingdom in 1917. The Kettering Aerial Target (or “The Bug”) carried 180 pounds of explosives and became the basis for modern missiles.
While Europe has some of the most liberal drone privacy laws today, that doesn’t mean they’re lenient. Even among countries that allow experimental visual lines of sight (such as Finland and Portugal), special permissions are required.
Middle East and Central Asia
Click here for the high-resolution version of this graphic.
The military applications of drones persist in this region. Iran was one of the first to use armed drones and continues to do so, while simultaneously banning their public use.
Neighboring Turkey also relies on kamikaze drones, augmented by AI and facial recognition, to strengthen border security.
Rest of Asia and Oceania
Click here for the high-resolution version of this graphic.
China-based DJI is the world’s largest drone manufacturer, dominating 70% of the global market. Across Asia, drones have been in use for mass surveillance, particularly in China. In recent times, drones also track compliance with strict COVID-19 guidelines in Malaysia and Singapore.
Meanwhile, in Japan, Nokia is testing out a drone network to provide a more rapid response to future natural disasters. The relief capabilities include disseminating more real-time updates and monitoring evacuation progress.
Africa
Click here for the high-resolution version of this graphic.
While many parts of Africa haven’t developed any drone-related laws yet, promising innovation is rearing its head. Medical drones are already saving lives in Rwanda, delivering supplies in as little as 15 minutes.
In the same vein, the pioneer African Drone and Data Academy (ADDA) opened in Malawi. The academy promotes drone usage for humanitarian and disaster preparedness, and aims to equip individuals with the relevant skills.
Towards Greater Heights?
As the uses of drones evolve over time, so will their legal status and the privacy concerns surrounding them. However, the adoption of any technology is always accompanied by a certain level of skepticism.
With drones, it remains to be seen whether they’ll mostly occupy the role of a friend or a foe for years to come—and that power lies only in the hands of those who remotely control them.
Technology
Ranked: America’s 20 Biggest Tech Layoffs Since 2020
How bad are the current layoffs in the tech sector? This visual reveals the 20 biggest tech layoffs since the start of the pandemic.

Ranked: America’s 20 Biggest Tech Layoffs This Decade
The events of the last few years could not have been predicted by anyone. From a global pandemic and remote work as the standard, to a subsequent hiring craze, rising inflation, and now, mass layoffs.
Alphabet, Google’s parent company, essentially laid off the equivalent of a small town just weeks ago, letting go of 12,000 people—the biggest layoffs the company has ever seen in its history. Additionally, Amazon and Microsoft have also laid off 10,000 workers each in the last few months, not to mention Meta’s 11,000.
This visual puts the current layoffs in the tech industry in context and ranks the 20 biggest tech layoffs of the 2020s using data from the tracker, Layoffs.fyi.
The Top 20 Layoffs of the 2020s
Since 2020, layoffs in the tech industry have been significant, accelerating in 2022 in particular. Here’s a look at the companies that laid off the most people over the last three years.
Rank | Company | # Laid Off | % of Workforce | As of |
---|---|---|---|---|
#1 | 12,000 | 6% | Jan 2023 | |
#2 | Meta | 11,000 | 13% | Nov 2021 |
#3 | Amazon | 10,000 | 3% | Nov 2021 |
#4 | Microsoft | 10,000 | 5% | Jan 2023 |
#5 | Salesforce | 8,000 | 10% | Jan 2023 |
#6 | Amazon | 8,000 | 2% | Jan 2023 |
#7 | Uber | 6,700 | 24% | May 2020 |
#8 | Cisco | 4,100 | 5% | Nov 2021 |
#9 | IBM | 3,900 | 2% | Jan 2023 |
#10 | 3,700 | 50% | Nov 2021 | |
#11 | Better.com | 3,000 | 33% | Mar 2022 |
#12 | Groupon | 2,800 | 44% | Apr 2020 |
#13 | Peloton | 2,800 | 20% | Feb 2022 |
#14 | Carvana | 2,500 | 12% | May 2022 |
#15 | Katerra | 2,434 | 100% | Jun 2021 |
#16 | Zillow | 2,000 | 25% | Nov 2021 |
#17 | PayPal | 2,000 | 7% | Jan 2023 |
#18 | Airbnb | 1,900 | 25% | May 2020 |
#19 | Instacart | 1,877 | -- | Jan 2021 |
#20 | Wayfair | 1,750 | 10% | Jan 2023 |
Layoffs were high in 2020 thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, halting the global economy and forcing staff reductions worldwide. After that, things were steady until the economic uncertainty of last year, which ultimately led to large-scale layoffs in tech—with many of the biggest cuts happening in the past three months.
The Cause of Layoffs
Most workforce slashings are being blamed on the impending recession. Companies are claiming they are forced to cut down the excess of the hiring boom that followed the pandemic.
Additionally, during this hiring craze competition was fierce, resulting in higher salaries for workers, which is now translating in an increased need to trim the fat thanks to the current economic conditions.
Of course, the factors leading up to these recent layoffs are more nuanced than simple over-hiring plus recession narrative. In truth, there appears to be a culture shift occurring at many of America’s tech companies. As Rani Molla and Shirin Ghaffary from Recode have astutely pointed out, tech giants really want you to know they’re behaving like scrappy startups again.
Twitter’s highly publicized headcount reduction in late 2022 occurred for reasons beyond just macroeconomic factors. Elon Musk’s goal of doing more with a smaller team seemed to resonate with other founders and executives in Silicon Valley, providing an opening for others in tech space to cut down on labor costs as well. In just one example, Mark Zuckerberg hailed 2023 as the “year of efficiency” for Meta.
Meanwhile, over at Google, 12,000 jobs were put on the chopping block as the company repositions itself to win the AI race. In the words of Google’s own CEO:
“Over the past two years we’ve seen periods of dramatic growth. To match and fuel that growth, we hired for a different economic reality than the one we face today… We have a substantial opportunity in front of us with AI across our products and are prepared to approach it boldly and responsibly.”– Sundar Pichai
The Bigger Picture in the U.S. Job Market
Beyond the tech sector, job openings continue to rise. Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revealed a total of 11 million job openings across the U.S., an increase of almost 7% month-over-month. This means that for every unemployed worker in America right now there are 1.9 job openings available.
Additionally, hiring increased significantly in January, with employers adding 517,000 jobs. While the BLS did report a decrease in openings in information-based industries, openings are increasing rapidly especially in the food services, retail trade, and construction industries.
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