Privacy Concerns Represent Another Hurtle in Domestic UAS Operations

Concern over the potential for privacy invasion is another of the major hurtles domestic developers and operators of UAS will have to overcome before the systems can be fully integrated into the national airspace (Catch-up time on drone regs, 2012; Ryan, 2012; Surveillance drones drive privacy fears, 2012). Domestic surveillance concerns include law enforcement monitoring without warrants, businesses monitoring consumer behavior, and invasion of constitutional rights to privacy (Catch-up time on drone regs, 2012).The potential for domestic spying does exist with this technology, much like other technology we rely on (i.e. cellular phones, internet connection, and credit cards/banking). However, before outright rejecting the use of UAS domestically, the benefits need to be considered including, remote surveying, three-dimensional mapping services, border and drug protection, search and rescue (SAR), fire fighting, and weather monitoring that will not place operators in danger (Ryan, 2012; Surveillance drones drive privacy fears, 2012). In order to effectively ease concerns and ensure continued protection of personal privacy, a set of enforceable Federal and State guidelines/laws will need to be established with serious repercussions and public exposure for violators.

13 July Update: The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Virgina has partnered with Republican Delegate Todd Gilbert to introduce unmanned aircraft regulation into the 2013 Virginia General Assembly session (The Associated Press, 2012). The legislation would require law enforcement officials to obtain a warrant before using unmanned aircraft, set standards for public monitoring, and necessitate the destruction of any  imagery data captured without authorization (The Associated Press, 2012).

REFERENCES
Catch-up time on drone regs. (2012, July). Pocono Record. Retrieved from http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120709/NEWS04/207090323

Surveillance drones drive privacy fears. (2012, July). San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved from http://www.avionics-intelligence.com/news/2012/07/08/mercury-news-editorial-surveillance-drones-drive-privacy-fears.html

Ryan, M. (2012, July). Worried about your privacy? Don't forget to look up. timesunion.com. Retrieved from http://blog.timesunion.com/opinion/worried-about-your-privacy-dont-forget-to-look-up/21023/

The Associated Press. (2012, July). Gilbert, ACLU say bill will regulate drones. newsleader.com. Retrieved from http://www.newsleader.com/article/20120713/NEWS01/207130310/Gilbert-ACLU-say-bill-will-regulate-drones