Dji Removes Video Shot in National Parks After It Raises Eyebrows

Posted2 months agoActive2 months ago

josephcsible

41 points

10 comments

petapixel.comTechstory

calmmixed

Debate

30/100

Drone RegulationNational ParksPrivacy and Surveillance

Key topics

Drone Regulation

National Parks

Privacy and Surveillance

DJI removed a promotional video shot in US national parks after it raised concerns about drone usage in protected areas, sparking a discussion about the balance between technology and conservation.

Snapshot generated from the HN discussion

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Moderate engagement

First comment

19s

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132-144h

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Key moments

01Story posted
Oct 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM EDT
2 months ago
Step 01
02First comment
Oct 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM EDT
19s after posting
Step 02
03Peak activity
9 comments in 132-144h
Hottest window of the conversation
Step 03
04Latest activity
Oct 28, 2025 at 8:58 AM EDT
2 months ago
Step 04

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Discussion (10 comments)

Showing 10 comments

josephcsibleAuthor

2 months ago

1 reply

> At the time of initial reporting, it was speculated that DJI might have secured the necessary permits. However, since the video was removed, it’s a safe bet that this isn’t true, or at least DJI itself is uncertain if it’s true.

Previously: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45572640

jcims

2 months ago

1 reply

> However, since the video was removed, it’s a safe bet that this isn’t true

Maybe, maybe not. Is the value of the video worth the negative buzz? They could post a permit on their site homepage and it's still going to do damage.

garyfirestorm

2 months ago

1 reply

I am really unsure what is the root cause of this controversy. Restricted space needs permits -> you get permits -> you shoot beautiful landscape … controversy

wongarsu

2 months ago

1 reply

Some people dislike inconsiderate drone users, or just drones in general -> they see video shot in restricted space -> they assume it was made without permit and in the most damaging way possible -> they make a lot of noise about this perceived slight

watwut

2 months ago

Or, they simply think that the permit should not be given in the first place, because the use does not actually full fill the "very rare, special circumstances" .

blinding-streak

2 months ago

1 reply

When I see photos of the Grand Prismatic Spring, it looks so vibrant and colorful that it seems to jump off the screen.

I really hope to visit it in person some day.

largbae

2 months ago

It is beautiful, even more colorful than the pictures to me, but it is always covered by steam to some extent.

There are some smaller thermal pools near Old Faithful that have similar colors but let you get a closer look.

bryanhogan

2 months ago

1 reply

I'm really questioning if an article like this is frontpage worthy?

seanhunter

2 months ago

It really isn’t.

The story:

An independent creator makes a post for a website

People point out that post includes drone footage shot in places you aren’t supposed to fly a drone.

Website takes the post down.

Fricken

2 months ago

It's a hassle to get permits to shoot anything in Canadian national parks and they'll ride your ass if they find unpermitted footage of their park being used in a commercial context.

The rock climber Adam Ondra climbed the Dawn Wall in Yosemite and is sitting on an epic rock climbing documentary about it that he cannot release because his team failed to secure the necessary permits.

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ID: 45676191Type: storyLast synced: 11/20/2025, 1:51:04 PM

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