broadly speak , domesticated drone surveillance is a freehanded no - no . Nevertheless local , state , and Union law enforcement agencies are finding a way to do it by borrowing drones from U.S. Customs and Border Protection . And , accord to a recent FOIA request , it ’s happening more and more .
Between 2010 and 2012 , Customs and Border Protection flew 687 drone pipe missions for other law enforcement agency around the country . Those missionary work included everything from finding missing individual to spying on marijuana farms . The name of many specific police force enforcement authority were blockade out in the flight log that the Electronic Frontier Foundation latterly bespeak , but the Coast Guard and DEA are believed to be the most drone - thirsty agencies .
This should n’t be a Brobdingnagian surprise . Demand for drones is on the rise , and the FAA authorise the use of commercial-grade drones for aerial surveillance over six month ago . However , because the FAA will need a pair years to write the rulebook on domestic radio-controlled aircraft habit , law enforcement agencies have had to see an option . That ’s where the Border Patrol come in . Once word got out that those drones were up for grabs , need boomed . “ As the other entity found out we were able-bodied to pilot , and where we were able to fly , the request started to come up , ” former Customs and Border Protection chief David Aguilartold The Washington Post .
https://gizmodo.com/how-we-need-to-legislate-drones-511178947
Is this a braggart wad ? That calculate on your perspective . On one bridge player , it ’s all happening de jure and in all probability for a good causal agent . On the other hired hand , it ’s sort of the Wild West up there , as the skies stay unregulated for drones . It ’s also gruelling to tell exactly what the drone are doing because Customs and Border Protection turn down to let on the public figure of many of the law enforcement government agency using them .
So the mystery inspissate . Do n’t get too bended out of shape , though . Think of it this way : At least the drones snoop on Americans are n’t armed . Yet . [ EFFviaWashington Post ]
Image via AP
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