Drone use for public surveillance by the govt, represents potential for both public good and public harm. Therefore, it can't be safe unless properly regulated.
Here are 5 core recommendations for good legislation towards a more balanced approach.
[1/6] https://www.brookings.edu/research/drones-and-aerial-surveillance-considerations-for-legislatures/
Here are 5 core recommendations for good legislation towards a more balanced approach.
[1/6] https://www.brookings.edu/research/drones-and-aerial-surveillance-considerations-for-legislatures/
1) Follow a property rights approach to aerial surveillance. This gives landowners the right to exclude drones etc. from a column of airspace from the surface of their land up to 350 feet above ground level. This helps address many feared harms.
[2/6] https://www.brookings.edu/research/drones-and-aerial-surveillance-considerations-for-legislatures/
[2/6] https://www.brookings.edu/research/drones-and-aerial-surveillance-considerations-for-legislatures/
2) Craft simple, duration-based surveillance legislation that limits the aggregate amount of time the govt may surveil a specific individual. Helps to address potential harms of persistent surveillance made possible with manned and unmanned aircraft.
[3/6] https://www.brookings.edu/research/drones-and-aerial-surveillance-considerations-for-legislatures/
[3/6] https://www.brookings.edu/research/drones-and-aerial-surveillance-considerations-for-legislatures/
3) Legally require data retention procedures requiring heightened levels of suspicion and increased procedural protections for accessing stored data gathered by aerial surveillance. After a legislatively set period, all stored data should be deleted.
[4/6] https://www.brookings.edu/research/drones-and-aerial-surveillance-considerations-for-legislatures/
[4/6] https://www.brookings.edu/research/drones-and-aerial-surveillance-considerations-for-legislatures/
4) Enact transparency and accountability measures, requiring govt agencies to regularly publish information about the use of aerial surveillance devices (both manned and unmanned).
[5/6] https://www.brookings.edu/research/drones-and-aerial-surveillance-considerations-for-legislatures/
[5/6] https://www.brookings.edu/research/drones-and-aerial-surveillance-considerations-for-legislatures/
5) Legislators should recognize that technology such as geofencing and auto-redaction may make aerial surveillance by drones more protective of privacy than human surveillance.
[6/6] https://www.brookings.edu/research/drones-and-aerial-surveillance-considerations-for-legislatures/
[6/6] https://www.brookings.edu/research/drones-and-aerial-surveillance-considerations-for-legislatures/