ACLU to discuss domestic drone surveillance in Pasadena

Like history has never seen before, the right to and reasonable expectation of privacy is in jeopardy as the imminence of increased domestic drone use looms over the American public.
On January 8. A local branch of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) will host an event in Pasadena at which there will be discourse in regards to domestic drones, surveillance and their implications on individual privacy. In Protecting Privacy From Aerial Surveillance: Recommendations for Government Use of Drone Aircraft, the ACLU claims that “interest in deploying drones among police departments is increasing, and our privacy laws are not strong enough to ensure that the new technology will be used responsibly and consistently with democratic values.”
Unmanned, remote-controlled aerial surveillance drones range in size from as small as a bird to as large as a jet and are able to employ a range of faculties including powerful lenses that allow high resolution image capture from a great distance; thermal and ultraviolet imaging that allow humans and animals to be seen at night; radar technologies that allow visibility through walls and into private spaces and homes; and video analytics such as facial recognition software, license plate readers, and similar programs that track and identify movement patterns.
Surveillance drones have already been deployed in U.S. skies by public and private entities. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Air Force, Customs & Border Protection, police departments, college universities and numerous research agencies have been authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fly drones. Data collected by government agencies without a warrant can be held for up to 90 days for examination and agencies are able to surveil targeted groups of people as well as individuals considered suspicious with consent from the Secretary of Defense.
Drones have an unlimited array of potential uses and could serve the country positively or negatively. Some universities, states and local agencies intend to apply drone use to fighting fires, search and rescue missions, mapping, studying meteorological conditions and wildlife conservation. However, at present, no regulations exist that protect citizens privacy rights. The ACLU incisively indicates that “we need a system of rules to ensure that we can enjoy the benefits of this technology without bringing us a large step closer to a ‘surveillance society’ in which our every move is monitored, tracked, recorded, and scrutinized by the authorities.” By 2020, the FAA projects there will be at least 30,000 drones in the U.S. skies. If left unregulated, that means at least 30,000 opportunities for the American citizen to be relentlessly monitored, personally tracked, or assaulted. The ACLU has concerns of voyeurism, prejudiced tracking, and indiscriminate mass surveillance that would be irrelevant to criminal investigations and would potentially violate citizens’ fourth amendment rights.
The ACLU’s discussion on domestic drone use will be an important reminder of civil liberties and will offer imperative awareness of public surveillance. The event will be held in Pasadena at Neighborhood Church, located 301 N. Orange Grove Ave from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. The event is free and open to the public.

By Arianna Locatell

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