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Drones Being Used By Peeping Toms, The Military, And Terrorists (newsweek.com)
An anonymous reader writes: A 19-year-old woman called Massachusetts police about a drone peeking through her second-story window at 3 a.m. -- and was told no laws had been violated. Kansas is now passing an anti-harassment law after a woman reported her neighbor's drone was hovering over their pool and outside the window where her 16-year-old daughter was washing dishes. But meanwhile, the U.S. Navy has just outfitted one supercarrier with a new drone control room, while one Dutch activist writes in Newsweek that terrorist drone attacks "are not a matter of 'If' but 'When'." Noting that drones are cheap, portable and useful, PAX's Wim Zwijnenburg warns that "Terrorists and armed militia groups are already using consumer drones in conflict situations" -- for example, in Iraq, Syria, Gaza, and the Ukraine -- "and it is likely only a matter of time before they use them to carry out attacks in Europe or the U.S."
He believes ISIS is developing its own drone fleet, and warns about the possibility of swarms with "dozens of drones equipped with explosives or chemicals". Zwijnenburg proposes background checks and registrations for certain types of drones, as well as counter-drone technology to protect airports, crowded stadiums, and critical infrastructure points. Citing the blurring lines between military and civilian drones, he writes that "there needs to be an urgent and frank discussion among industry, the military, law enforcement, and most of all, the public, as to where we go from here."
Meanwhile, another prison just reported a drone had flown over their wall -- this time a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Heli Ball.
He believes ISIS is developing its own drone fleet, and warns about the possibility of swarms with "dozens of drones equipped with explosives or chemicals". Zwijnenburg proposes background checks and registrations for certain types of drones, as well as counter-drone technology to protect airports, crowded stadiums, and critical infrastructure points. Citing the blurring lines between military and civilian drones, he writes that "there needs to be an urgent and frank discussion among industry, the military, law enforcement, and most of all, the public, as to where we go from here."
Meanwhile, another prison just reported a drone had flown over their wall -- this time a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Heli Ball.
A garden hose defense system?
'Noting that drones are cheap, portable and useful, PAX's Wim Zwijnenburg warns that "Terrorists and armed militia groups are already using consumer drones in conflict situations" -- for example, in Iraq, Syria, Gaza, and the Ukraine -- "and it is likely only a matter of time before they use them to carry out attacks in Europe or the U.S."'
Funny that, isn't it? What goes around, comes around. Militarists and secret police have drones designed to their specification, so that Mr Obama can draw up lists of people who are to die without trial, warrant, or warning from the comfort of his residence. And then - waddya know - those damned terrorists are using drones themselves. It's so unfair!
But that's how huge organizations like governments rock. Robert Conquest's Third Law of Politics:
"The simplest way to explain the behavior of any bureaucratic organization is to assume that it is controlled by a cabal of its enemies".
I am sure that there are many other solipsists out there.
I like how you made the person being stalked the one who is responsible.
If its dark on the side with the camera it is very easy for it to record through the glass. As the original article said it was something like 3am. Im presuming its going to be pretty dark.
Yep they are noisy but the fact they can fly out of reach and are fairly fast means they can get images before people notice them or can get to the drone.
Usually this translates into "hype and scare them into supporting our ban for private use".
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
But if you're really worried about they looking through your windows, close the bloody curtains/blinds.
And if you don't wanna get raped, don't wear those short dresses!
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
I learned that people own the airspace directly above their property up to some reasonably low value.
About 300 feet or so. However, a drone hovering outside a kitchen window or second-story bedroom window is fair game for the water hose, paintball gun or shotgun.
...where we have laws against using technical means to watch others who are in protected areas.
Basically anyone can use things like drones, cameras and so on in the public places and similar(where there is no expectation of privacy), but using anything technical to look into someone's home(and some other locations) is forbidden. The protection of homes is actually pretty strong in other things too.
And yes this includes old ladies with binoculars peeping.
A fun case was when some old biddy complained to the police about someone stretching in their 3rd floor window nude that she can see clearly with her binoculars from across a park and she was the only one charged with a crime since she was using a technical device(the binoculars) to secretly look into a protected area(The other person's home).
The villification through fear-based propaganda of civilian ownership & use of drones has begun in earnest.
First, villify, then regulate, then outlaw.
That's the same playbook as those who would like a gun ban implemented use, except there's that pesky 2nd Amendment in the way with guns.
Fortunately for them, there's no such protection for drones, so they are free to proceed with the push to heavily regulate most drones & owners, and outright ban some types/uses of drones (typically the most useful as bureaucrats are wont to do).
The propaganda program to gin-up fear is the first step.
Strat
Progressivism (aka US 'Liberalism'): Ideas so good they need a police/surveillance-state to enforce.