States consider privacy measures to counter new wave of radio-controlled drones

Apr 03, 2013 9:43 pm
The Sacremento Bee reports that 80 proposals related to radio-controlled drones in 39 statehouses across the country, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. In New York, two Brooklyn Assemblymen introduced bills in Albany this past week. Christopher Robbins in Gothamist reports about Bronx Assemblyman Luis Sepúlveda's bill, which prohibits drone use to gather evidence, "except when authorized under a warrant issued by a court of record or justified by lawful exception to the warrant requirement." Sepúlveda released a statement, saying that he plans several other drone bills, "Banning drones from being armed; clearly defining what constitutes a drone; restricting the use of drones by private citizens; and streamlining the mechanisms to secure permits for responsible drone usage concerning its commercial applications." Tom Precious in The Buffalo News reports that Assemblyman Nick Perry’s legislation, would “protect New York state residents from unwarranted and unauthorized use of drones or other unmanned aircrafts to conduct surveillance upon them inside their homes or place of worship or within the closed confines of their property or other locations where a person would have an expectation of privacy.’’ The Buffalo News says the bill exempts patrols along the Canadian border to prevent illegal entry of people or drugs and other substances, and to counter a "high risk of a terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization based on credible intelligence determined by the commissioner of homeland security and emergency services.'' His proposal includes individual use for "lawful purposes, including recreational or hobby purposes.''