Across California, police departments are rapidly expanding “Drone as First Responder” programs, triggering intense public backlash over warrantless surveillance and corporate overreach.

  • Pyr@lemmy.ca
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    10 days ago

    They do have their place I would argue. I would much prefer cops fly a little drone to follow a car in a high speed chase than pay thousands of dollars for a helicopter. The suspect wouldn’t even be able to tell if they lost it or not if flying high enough.

    • twoBrokenThumbs@lemmy.world
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      9 days ago

      I agree they have their place. The issue is the governance of that place.

      The drones are stated to be connected to the same ALPR network which becomes as troublesome as the the ALPR controversy. The fact that the camera is not static and can be flown around makes it a higher threat to privacy in that regard.

      The abuse of such technology could be catastrophic. A warrant wouldn’t be needed to fly over and surveil a neighborhood if they were in pursuit of somebody else. It can absolutely be flown over and around your home without a judge approving it. That’s an issue.