Well, they still can't see you in your house or anything, so to me, it's basically something that, as you said, was already viable with helicopters. I'm not a fan of either, necessarily, but that makes this more of something that already existed, rather than a sign of things getting worse or anything like that.
Infinite Tree: an experimental story
Gunpla is amazing!
![[up]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/smiles/arrow_up.png "[up]"){kind=icon}
Obviously people wont see it that way.
^True.
In fact, this is one of those times when I'm a bit more worried about people's reactions than about what they're reacting to.
Infinite Tree: an experimental story
Meh, they won't waste time flying them around looking for nothing in particular.. It'll end up being more like pursuit and surveillance that they'll be tasked with. Choppers are too loud for subtle surveillance, and sitting in a car for days sucks, as well as has a chance that you'll be found out and in danger.
I don't forsee police drones being used for anything more nefarious than a helicopter without a pilot.
One Winged Egret
I love drones.
The reactions in this thread are the opposite of what I expected.
I have mixed feelings about this development. It's less of a threat to privacy than the article tries to make it seem, but I don't want America to turn into the UK. 
edited 16th Dec '11 7:49:55 AM by silver2195
Currently taking a break from the site. See my user page for more information.
Robots buzzing overhead to take pictures...
Like Google?
Decemberist
You what?
Dutch Lesbian
Cmdr. of His Supremacy's Armed Forces
He's/she's got a point, we're pretty pro-keeping an eye on everyone at all times.
FIMFiction Account MLPMST Page
V
We don't have drones here — they haven't passed the Safety Case with the CAA
(that applies for Military UAVs too).
But we're not that Bad — most cameras are not owned by the Government, after all, and don't cover everywhere...
Keep Rolling On
Unserious answer: well, it's not like it matters. Privacy is for paedos anyway.
I get the idea that Silver was being facetiousness. I get no such gist from you; I'd recommend reading up on the matter.
edited 16th Dec '11 8:09:32 AM by AllanAssiduity
Actual Wrestling Legend
This is overkill (why do helicopters not suffice?), but not that serious.
I'm a skeptical squirrel
V
How about Private Citizens?
edited 16th Dec '11 8:11:45 AM by Greenmantle
Keep Rolling On
Raven Wilder
Doesn't sound like there's anything a drone can see that couldn't also be seen by a guy in a tree with some binoculars and/or night vision goggles, so I don't really see the problem.
"It takes an idiot to do cool things, that's why it's cool" - Haruhara Haruko
Prince of Dorne
Not only is that equivalence nonsense (drones will always be better equipped, in mobility or recording quality or both), more to the point the consequence of that equivalence would be to do something against such voyeurs, and not to be "meh" abut surveillance drones.
Pro-Freedom Fanatic
.edited 16th Dec '11 9:46:25 AM by SavageHeathen
You exist because we allow it and you will end because we demand it.
Raven Wilder
Yes, with drones the government can do more spying, but the spying they do can't actually penetrate any deeper than more low-tech methods would.
And, honestly, I don't see the problem with someone (whether a government employee or a freelance peeping tom) spying on people in that fashion. If they actually start trespassing in your home or place of business, yeah, that's wrong. But if all they're doing is standing on public property trying to get a glimpse through the window, then I don't see what the big deal is.
"It takes an idiot to do cool things, that's why it's cool" - Haruhara Haruko
Prince of Dorne
The big deal is violation of privacy. Which I'd say is very much graver than such light violations of property. I, and only I, have the right to determine how open or closed I am to the world, and how much the world gets to see. "Informational self-determination", which is a derived basic right here.
Gah! US-Americans! It's the same debate as with Google Street View all over...
I really hope the Pirate Party makes it above the 5% barrier next elections here. Prospects are good, and it would be contributing to stopping such shit here.
edited 16th Dec '11 9:53:58 AM by Octo
Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken. Unrelated ME1 Fanfic
Raven Wilder
Y'know, there is this little invention called "window blinds". You might want to invest in it sometime.
"It takes an idiot to do cool things, that's why it's cool" - Haruhara Haruko
Lost in Space
Notionally, we should not have to actively defend ourselves against invasions of privacy.
"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
Raven Wilder
So if I walk down the street, discussing intimate details of my life on a cell phone, it's other people's responsibility to avoid hearing what I'm saying?
"It takes an idiot to do cool things, that's why it's cool" - Haruhara Haruko
Lost in Space
While it is none of anyone else's business what you're saying, you are doing that in public and therefore have no expectation of privacy.
edited 16th Dec '11 10:10:10 AM by Fighteer
"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
Prince of Dorne
Plus, normally people don't record stuff. Until we have cyberears and cybereyes with record function, just seeing and hearing are comparatively unproblematic.
Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken. Unrelated ME1 Fanfic
Raven Wilder
And if, while remaining on your property, you are perfectly visible and/or audible to someone standing on public property, the same rules apply.
Why's it make a difference whether someone's recording it or not?
http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/15/9476623-domestic-drones-coming-soon-over-a-home-near-you
Robots, buzzing above our heads, and they've seen it, they've seen it all
.
To me this isn't all that surprising or even scary - its basically a cheaper alternative to using helicopters, which cops already do, though I'm not pleased by it either.