Drones rocketing into new uses, raising questions of privacy, misuse

[Indi Guy]

Source: Las Vegas Sun

[br][br]
...The military has researched and used unmanned vehicle systems, commonly known as drones, for 40 years in faraway war zones. The vehicles have begun crossing over more and more into the civilian and commercial realms, where proponents say the technology has the potential to save lives and keep workers out of harm’s way.

But the devices, which often are small, portable and relatively affordable, also are uniquely suited for surveillance, leading some to worry about potential misuse and invasion of privacy.

An army of drones invaded the Mandalay Bay Convention Center this week as part of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International’s convention, which drew 567 exhibitors from about 40 countries.

“The market for unmanned systems has been pretty much defense-related for the last several decades. We are starting to see a shift into the civil and commercial markets now,” said Gretchen West, executive vice president of the association. “The biggest has been for law enforcement and first responders...

Read more: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/aug/10/drones-rocketing-new-uses-raising-questions-privac/

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What could possibly go wrong here?

[hedgehog]

1. What could go wrong, indeed!

[Indi Guy]

11. That's pretty good... n/t

[nichomachus]

2. Can you say "Mission creep?"

There, I knew you could.

[bemildred]

3. I am reminded of Saddam Husseain's model RC planes of doom somehow.

You don't suppose that terrorists might get their hands on this sort of thing too?

[Indi Guy]

13. "I am reminded of Saddam Husseain's model RC planes of doom..."

Yeah; only maybe the spooks were tipping their hand as to what they had in mind for us.

[bemildred]

14. It's all about fear, "Big Brother is Watching".

The notion that this represents some sort of technical big deal is bullshit.

[hobbit709]

4. i remember being told I was paranoid about this not too long ago here on DU.

[Equate]

5. Rest assured

you're not paranoid and you've been vindicated.

[Occulus]

21. I clearly recall that as well

I'm sure the Very Serious People who said that will be along any moment to apologize.

Any time now....

[hobbit709]

22. I'm not holding my breath

[Taverner]

6. If I were a PI I would look into one of those

[Vidar]

7. Guns aren't killing enough of our civilians. Release the drones!

[closeupready]

8. Right. Like building a nuclear reactor in a fault zone -

what could go wrong? Fukushima, anyone?

[avaistheone1]

9. k&r

[sad sally]

10. Makes you wonder if this American citizen had left his ranch, would drone have fired on him?

Court Upholds Domestic Drone Use in Arrest of American Citizen

A motion to dismiss charges based on the use of a Predator drone was denied Wednesday

By JASON KOEBLER
August 2, 2012

A North Dakota court has preliminarily upheld the first-ever use of an unmanned drone to assist in the arrest of an American citizen.

A judge denied a request to dismiss charges Wednesday against Rodney Brossart, a man arrested last year after a 16-hour standoff with police at his Lakota, N.D., ranch. Brossart's lawyer argued that law enforcement's "warrantless use of [an] unmanned military-like surveillance aircraft" and "outrageous governmental conduct" warranted dismissal of the case, according to court documents obtained by U.S. News.

snip

Grand Forks SWAT team chief Bill Macki said in an interview that the drone was used to ensure Brossart and his family members, who were also charged, didn't leave the farm and were unarmed during the arresting raid.

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2012/08/02/court-upholds-domestic-drone-use-in-arrest-of-american-citizen

[lapfog_1]

12. From Cloak of Anarchy by Larry Niven... 1972

Someone at police headquarters had expected that. Twice the usual number of copseyes floated overhead, waiting. Gold dots against blue, basketball-sized, twelve feet up. Each a television eye and a sonic stunner, each a hookup to police headquarters, they were there to enforce the law of the Park.

[lunatica]

16. Any science fiction fan could tell you this was bound to happen

But I think the use of drones will be much more widespread than just another surveillance tool for the police. Television news will have them to go to the scene of the news and also scientists who work out in the field like vulcanologists, geologists, Zoologists or environmentalists, etc. I can see where drones will be very helpful tools for many things.

It's not all bad.

[Indi Guy]

23. The temptation for abuse is too great...

...for there not to be laws in place to prevent it. Have you ever seen any technology that has been available to police that has not been abused?

[lunatica]

24. That's why I say it was bound to happen

I doubt there will be laws against it. I'm pretty certain we're becoming much more of a police state than we like to admit.

[cstanleytech]

15. I am a bit confused.

Dont they already use manned helicopters for looking for problems? If so then wouldnt unmanned drones be cheaper to operate due less fuel being needed for an unmanned drone compared to a manned helicopter?

[dixiegrrrrl]

17. They are already talking about weaponizing drones over USA.

This issue is not about saving fuel.
The issue is that remote controlled spy planes, some of them very small, can be used, and if they have weapons, these can be fired, all by someone thousands of miles away.
At least manned helicopters reduce the possibiity of error.
As it is now, there have been a LOT of innocent people shot because SWAT teams have knocked down the wrong door.
What are the possibiliteis of a drone making a mistake, or crashing into a light plant?

[cstanleytech]

18. The use of drones for surveillance and talk of perhaps arming them with weapons are two different

issues though and right now this case is about them using the drones for surveillance of things out in open view and or tracking fleeing suspects.
As for the whole line of attack you made of "What are the possibiliteis of a drone making a mistake, or crashing into a light plant?" that made me shake my head in wonder because you have that same risk with everyday airplanes yet you see few of them come crashing down so I suggest you try to find a better reason to oppose drones than that one.

[dixiegrrrrl]

19. The use of drones for multiple purposes was the point of the OP.

Nice attempt at distraction tho.

[cstanleytech]

20. *shrug* You are free to believe it was meant as a distraction just like

I am free to believe that this is a complete non issue unless they actually do arm the drones.

[Indi Guy]

25. Wouldn't it be wise to...

...shut the barn door before the horse gets out -- i.e. greatly restrict the use of domestic drones prior to the possibility of their weaponization?

[cstanleytech]

26. If you mean ban the use of armed drones by law enforcement

then ya that kind of ban makes sense.

[lovuian]

27. are they going to be under FAA

regulation so they don't cause trouble for airplanes
who is regulating them?

[LanternWaste]

28. I would guess the FAA. They already have a de-facto set of regulations for model aircraft

I would guess the FAA. They already have a de-facto set of regulations for model aircraft-- the regs are very open for the model aircraft community, but they are there. The regs get pretty hard-core for models that can exceed 400ft and/or 100mph, and I'm assuming that's drone altitude and speeds, so smart money says FAA will determine.

[LanternWaste]

29. To be honest, I'm much more concerned about civilian (mis)use of these than LEOs.

To be honest, I'm much more concerned about civilian (mis)use of these than LEOs. At least we know that LEOs have layers of policy and protocol to navigate prior to sending these up, but Mr Joe Six-Pack in his back yard sending a camera-equipped drone around the neighborhood has room for a LOT of abuse if you know what you're doing.

[Indi Guy]

30. I don't think the Fed Gov is going to...

...allow Joe Six-Pack to own any drones -- let alone allow access to any airspace.