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Local authorities in the UK have dramatically increased their use of drones, fueling fears that the government is monitoring or even snooping on people from above, according to reports.
Data from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) show that more than 60 councils have hired staff certified to operate aerial drones, while at least a dozen other authorities are looking for guidance to launch similar programs.
Because the CAA only records pilots sponsored by their employers, experts in the UK have since warned the real number of publicly funded drone operators could be even higher.
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A drone is seen in the sky as Chinese drone maker DJI holds a demonstration to display an app that tracks a drone’s registration and owner in Montreal, Canada, Nov. 3, 2019. (Reuters)
UK watchdog group Big Brother Watch has accused local governments of drifting toward “spies in the sky” tactics that further erode civil liberties in a nation already covered by widespread CCTV monitoring.
Jake Hurfurt, head of research and investigations, cautioned that while drones can support legitimate tasks such as flood monitoring or land surveys, they must not become tools for unchecked surveillance.
“There may be a role for drones in helping councils monitor flooding or conduct land surveys, but local authorities must not use the technology as spies in the sky” he said.
“Britain is already one of the most surveilled countries on Earth. With CCTV cameras on street corners, we do not need flying cameras too. Councils must make sure that they do not use this technology for intrusive monitoring of their citizens.”
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UK local authorities have expanded their use of drones, fueling fears that the government is increasingly monitoring citizens. (Neil Hall/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“Just because it’s possible, it does not mean it’s something they should do,” he added.
Previously, Hurfurt also criticized London’s Metropolitan Police’s use of drones as first responders, warning that the rollout is occurring without clear policies governing when, how or why drones can be deployed.
Without safeguards, he said, the technology risks becoming airborne CCTV or, worse, a way to monitor lawful protest activity.
“Without robust safeguards, there is a real risk of mission creep and drones becoming flying CCTV cameras or watching people lawfully protesting,” he said in a statement shared online.
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A police woman holds a drone during a demonstration of the Metropolitan Police’s new Drone as First Responder (DFR) pilot program at Islington Police Station. (Lucy North/PA Images via Getty Images)
“The Metropolitan Police must be transparent about its thresholds for using drones and take care to balance the rights of Londoners with the purported benefits of drone use,” he added.
Despite the concerns, Hammersmith and Fulham Council plans to integrate drones into its 70-member law enforcement team, which issued more than 2,200 fines last year.
The borough says drones will help in combating antisocial behavior, supplementing a lack of police manpower and work alongside CCTV equipped with live facial recognition.
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Sunderland currently operates the largest known council drone fleet, with 13 aircraft and multiple trained pilots.
Their drones are used to detect and prevent crime, enforce environmental rules and oversee public gatherings.
Other councils, including North West Leicestershire, Stockton-on-Tees, Newcastle, North Norfolk and Thurrock are also said to be using drones for everything from planning enforcement to monitoring coastal disputes, according to GB News.