You'll have to mark your drone with an ID under anti-terror rule

Crimes involving drones, such as the one at Gatwick, will only increase the scrutiny placed by governments and the public on the use of such vehicles by tech giants.

Responding to concerns from law enforcement and security agencies about the potential for concealed explosives, the US government is ordering all civilian drones to add external markings so the owner can be more easily identified.

The regulation, which was posted Tuesday on a preview website for the Federal Register and takes effect Feb. 23, is part of an effort to bring more oversight to the rapidly growing hobby and commercial drone industry. With more than 1 million registered drone users and those numbers expanding rapidly, the Federal Aviation Administration is trying to accommodate calls for expanded uses while also preserving safety and security.