The use of drones by the military has become increasingly prevalent
in the United States’ conflicts in the Middle East. However, with the cost of these “unmanned
aerial systems”, there is now talk about potential use for these drones on U.S.
soil.
These drones have already been used by law enforcement in
finding missing persons, and by county planners in measuring the growth of
landfills. Drones have also been used to
investigate suspected arson, using thermal cameras to identify hot spots and
investigate the path the fire traveled.
Other potential beneficial uses include reading license plates and face
recognition.
However, the cost of drones is dropping to the point that
private individuals and companies may have access to their use. Some fear that criminals such as drug dealers
and pedophiles could take advantage of the technology. On a less sinister level, nosy neighbors may
use these devices to monitor their neighbors.
With this technology, issues regarding citizens’ privacy
must be addressed. “Surveillance by
government is limited by the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable
searches and seizures, and snooping by corporations and individuals is covered
by privacy law and common law. But these were not written with drones in mind.” As such, states have already considered
legislation specifically aimed at the issue of drones and privacy, with
Congress lagging behind in the process.
While drones serve invaluable functions in the military, and
provide great benefits to law enforcement and other governmental agencies, the
potential use by private citizens and corporations raises great concern. Even the use by law enforcement and
governmental agencies raises concerns about overreaching use of this
technology. Without added legislation,
citizens’ rights to privacy will be compromised, and this right of privacy is
not and cannot be usurped simply by using technology not originally
contemplated or in existence when these laws were originally enacted. It should be the spirit of the law (the right
to privacy) that is protected, no matter the words used to convey this intent.
More information can be found at the Wall Street Journal.
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