The FAA recently launched the DISCOVR API, a new capability that gives authorized public safety agencies access to additional information about drones operating in their area. When a drone broadcasts Remote ID, law enforcement can now use the Remote ID serial number to retrieve PII information about the operator through authorized channels.

Previously, officers could see basic Remote ID broadcast data such as the drone’s serial number, location, and flight path, but there was no simple way to quickly determine who the operator was or whether the flight was authorized. Through the DISCOVR program, agencies can work with their local DHS Fusion Center to register for access to the tool and query additional FAA records tied to that Remote ID broadcast.

Zing is helping local law enforcement agencies navigate this process by assisting them in connecting with their regional DHS Fusion Center and registering for access to the DISCOVR API, enabling officers to retrieve additional information about drone operations during incidents.

When paired with Z-SCAN MINI, officers can quickly capture the Remote ID serial number of nearby drones, which can then be used to query the DISCOVR system and retrieve FAA registration and authorization information.

This new capability enables law enforcement to:

 Access drone pilot PII data, including the registered operator’s name and phone number

 Determine whether the Remote ID broadcast is tied to a registered aircraft in FAA DroneZone

 Check if the operator has an active LAANC authorization for controlled airspace

 Quickly assess whether a drone flight appears authorized, compliant, or suspicious

 Support investigations by linking Remote ID broadcasts to FAA registration records

 Improve coordination between local law enforcement, fusion centers, and federal aviation systems

As Remote ID adoption continues to grow, tools that connect drone detection in the field with FAA registration and authorization data will play an increasingly important role in helping responders understand what’s happening in the airspace around them.

Public safety agencies interested in equipping their teams with portable Remote ID detection tools can learn more about Z-SCAN MINI here: