The Threat of Drone Surveillance: Privacy vs Security

The government is now using aircraft drones for surveillance both domestically and internationally, leading to the unsettling sensation of constantly being watched. Law enforcement in Texas, Florida, and Minnesota are considering implementing drones to locate fugitives and suspects. While helicopter drones are currently used by police to identify criminals in communities, it is crucial that they are utilized solely for targeting specific individuals.

Utilizing drones for law enforcement purposes can have its advantages, however, when innocent individuals in suburban communities are being monitored, it crosses the line into an invasion of privacy that is unnecessary.

The improper use of drones occurs when government authorities begin to observe residents without valid reasons. FBI director Robert Mueller informed congress that the agency has multiple drones at its disposal but lacks clear policies or guidelines for their appropriate usage. This disclosure follows revelations that the U.S. was utilizing surveillance equipment to monitor its own citizens, which came to light after the NSA phone tracking scandal tarnished public trust in the government.

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While the head of the FBI acknowledged using drones for spying on Americans, unauthorized NSA monitoring of citizens' cell phones has further diminished confidence in official statements by the government. The utilization of drones violates citizens' rights under the fourth amendment concerning search and seizure.

The government's use of drones for surveillance poses a risk of being hacked and manipulated, potentially leading to the emergence of a Communist regime in the United States. This violates individual rights, especially the Fourth Amendment which protects against unjustified monitoring.

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The debate on new technologies focuses on privacy protection and preventing government intrusion. President Obama approved an FAA bill allowing drones to operate in national airspace.

Villasenor has raised worries regarding the possible infringement of privacy rights by UAVs. The Fourth Amendment of the Supreme Court sets rules for government searches and seizures, which includes a standard to assess if an individual holds a reasonable expectation of privacy in the area being searched.

Courts may consider the use of technology in UAVs when determining if people can expect privacy during drone searches. The issue is whether drones are more invasive than traditional surveillance methods like manned aircraft or low-powered cameras. There is uncertainty about whether adding advanced digital tools to a drone is different from attaching them to a lamppost or another standard aircraft. Technological progress makes it easier for unauthorized individuals to access personal information about others. According to a December 2011 report from the American Civil Liberties Union, drones can spy on American citizens.

Drones and automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) pose a threat to privacy through aerial surveillance and data collection. ALPRs are used by many states and cities to track license plate information for law enforcement purposes, potentially allowing them to monitor individuals' movements across different locations. Despite federal circuit courts ruling that there is no expectation of privacy in license plate numbers, the legal status of ALPRs in federal court is still uncertain.

However, the question lingers on whether connecting an ALP, or any similar advanced technology to a drone would impact the constitutionality of its use by law enforcement. Some argue that the sophistication of drone technology itself poses a unique threat to privacy. Drones are smaller, have longer flight times, and can be manufactured more affordably than traditional aircraft. Some drones could potentially remain airborne indefinitely. Unlike a stationary license plate tracker or video camera, drones have the capability to track an individual's every move for days, even weeks and months. This precision in monitoring an individual's activities may provoke more substantial constitutional worries compared to other surveillance technologies. With the increasing prevalence and application of drones, a significant concern is emerging. Many find this technological advancement to be quite controversial, as they fear the potential loss of privacy with drone technology in the hands of the government.

Boyle's report states that around 31% of US military aircraft are drones, which could have unpredictable consequences if hacked. Governments can use drones to monitor citizens without restrictions, posing a potential invasion of privacy. The absence of limits on drone technology raises worries about privacy, security, and the possibility of drones being hacked for malicious purposes. This issue was recently addressed on National Public Radio.

The practice of "spoofing" has been used to take control of helicopter drones flying above by replicating the signal of the authentic controller and amplifying the strength of your own signal. Serial hacker Samy Kamkar recently demonstrated a significant hack on Arstechnica, developing hardware and software to create a drone that can locate operational drones, hack into them, and take control. This innovative drone hack raises concerns about potential malicious uses (Casaretto). The ease with which hackers can manipulate these drones poses a serious risk, as they could access personal information such as residence, social circle, and family members through accessing their footage.

The increasing presence of drone technology in today’s society is quite evident. We hear on the news quite frequently of a drone bombing or spying on someone in the war. Not only do we hear about what drones do, we experience the benefits that they provide for us. When we listen to the weather there is a possibly the information is received from an actual drone. Despite the many different types of benefits drones present, drones still present a very serious security and privacy risk. Drone use violates the fourth amendment if used to spy on civilians without actual reason. If the person has an expectation of privacy then that person should have their privacy. The United States people will lose all of their privacy in a matter of years if we allow drone research to continue. One must decide whether the privacy and security risks outweigh the benefits.

Works Cited

  1. Casaretto, John. "Drones That Hack Drones." SiliconANGLE. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2013.
  2. Jerreat, Jessica. "FBI Director Admits Using Domestic Drones to Spy on US Citizens and Says Agency Has No Guidelines for Their Use." Mail Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2013.
  3. Reporter, Daily Mail. "U.S. Government to Use 'drones the Size of GOLF BALLS to Spy on AMERICAN Citizens'" Mail Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2013
  4. Sifton, John. "A Brief History of Drones | The Nation." A Brief History of Drones. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013.
  5. Villasenor, John. "Will "Drones" Outflank the Fourth Amendment?" Web log post. Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 20 Sept. 2012. Web. 13 Dec. 20
  6. Boyle, Ashley. "Drone Information Sources : Annotated Bibliography." ASP RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Dec. 2013.
Updated: Feb 21, 2024
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The Threat of Drone Surveillance: Privacy vs Security. (2016, Mar 19). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/usage-of-drones-essay

The Threat of Drone Surveillance: Privacy vs Security essay
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