Mr. John Doe
1919 Century Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90232
Editor
New York Times
International Edition
inytletters@nytimes.com
January 18, 2016
To the Editor:
Re: “Ruling Drones, Before They Rule Us” (editorial, Jan. 10):
While you advocate in favor of the Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights, which may provide sound privacy protections for consumers, it does not however, address the issues presented by the use of drones or unmanned surveillance equipment. As you are well aware, drones are increasingly accessible to the general public and have transcended use in law enforcement or by the military, and have been eagerly adopted by sports enthusiasts and realtors alike. What better way to obtain exciting or detailed aerial footage that was not previously possible absent the use of blimps, satellites, or helicopters in certain areas.
With the costs of certain models well under $1,000.00 this means that this strident technology is pretty much accessible to anyone with some spare funds and thus the advent of use by the recreational hobbyist and even young kids, and of course opportunistic people seeking new and innovative ways to violate the law or at least the privacy rights of others. Drone use has become so de rigueur that the FAA has had to establish guidelines for use, including altitude, time of day, and ability to operate the same with the assistance of laser light technology.
Perhaps most disturbing is the increasing number of reports concerning drones being used to violate privacy, or in another words, serve as a virtual peeping tom. At what juncture do we need to regulate drone operators from allowing their unmanned equipment to enter private property for one reason or another. All that is certain however, is that despite my inherent resistance to overregulate any aspect of our lives, there is very real reason to urge the government to look at drawing stricter regulations concerning unmanned surveillance drone in the name of preserving our personal property rights.
- Editorial Board, New York Times Sunday Review (January 9, 2016). “Drone Regulations
Should Focus on Safety and Privacy. New York Times. Web. Retrieved from:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/10/opinion/sunday/drone-regulations-should-focus-on-safety-and-privacy.html?_r=0
