Everyone who owns a drone will now have to register it with the FAA

The Federal Aviation Administration announced an unprecedented requirement on Monday that will require millions of drone owners in the United States to register their aircraft with the federal government.

New owners must register "before the first flight outdoors," the FAA said. This applies to all owners — not just those using them for commercial purposes. Until now, the FAA had been very restrictive, only licensing a limited number of businesses to fly drones.

About a million drones may be purchased as Christmas presents this year, according to estimates.