National Defense: Banning Video Recording of Classified Information
Also known as: Drone Espionage Act
Legislative Progress
✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President
Key Points
This bill, introduced by Representative Kiggans, updates federal spying laws to specifically include video recordings. Currently, the law mentions things like photographs and sketches, but it does not explicitly use the word "video."
The change would make it a federal crime to take or share video of protected national defense information. This is intended to close a legal loophole as drones and high-tech cameras become more common tools for gathering information.
If passed, people who use drones or digital cameras to record restricted military sites or secret documents would face the same criminal penalties that already apply to taking physical photos or making drawings of those items.
This update helps the government keep up with modern technology. By adding "video" to the law, it ensures that prosecutors have a clear path to charge individuals who use digital recordings to spy on the United States.
Milestones
2 milestones2 actions
Apr 17, 2025House
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Apr 17, 2025
Introduced in House
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Drone Espionage Act
Bill NumberHR 2939
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
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