The Orlando Sentinel reports that drones in Florida may be getting outlawed soon. The law, proposed by Senator Joe Negron, passed its second Senate committee earlier this month. If the legislation goes through, video surveillance drones in Florida will only be legal with a warrant, and under other extenuating circumstances like hostage situations and terrorist threats.
Law enforcement agencies, especially ones in Florida, are not pleased with these decisions. Video surveillance drones are an efficient technology: they are more affordable than helicopters, they are safer (no passengers) than helicopters, they do not disrupt public live as much, and can navigate much smaller spaces. It’s the last two qualities that has Senator Negron and Fourth Amendment privacy advocates against video surveillance drones.
Potentially, one of these surveillance drones could drop into your backyard, look in your window, and for many that seems to be a little too invasive. But this won’t be the last case involving video surveillance drones, or video and audio surveillance. As technology changes, so will the law.
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