Another dimension of Privacy Invasion by Drone.

[N017RW]

When folks are opining about the public's privacy concerns from drones there are usually 3 areas of comparison.
1) Photo detail is too low at safe flight separations; 2) No different than a cell-phone; 3) Telephoto or long lenses can see much more detail.

But what is not considered IMO is the unaware and anonymous 'dimensions'. This may be part of the reason some try to 'down' the drone when they are confronted.

When in public and a person uses a cell-phone or other 'on-person' device you may be aware that you are being captured and would often be able to ID who it is/was taking the images. No anonymity. You can often approach or confront the person if you wish to determine the reasons you were captured.

In the case of the telephoto lens you are unaware of being captured because the camera is often beyond your ability to see or hear it. This can also be the case with the above situation as well but the point is you didn't know you were being photographed so... Ignorance is bliss.

Now with the drone it is also true that you could be captured without your knowledge (bliss), but what I feel is the most disturbing thing to the public is that:
[when] you KNOW you're being captured, and you don't know by WHOM.

You can't judge their character (we ALL profile, it's a survival instinct), their intentions, or motivation.


I believe the anonymity of drone photography is largely ignored when discussing public 'fear'.

 

[BigAl07]

I think you've hit on a very strong and valid point. It's the Unknown that worries most of us.

 

[etr102]

Thr thing is if you are flying far enough away to be anonymous (lets face it, our remote controls arent stealthy), chances are most of will be flying higher to increase range and avoid obstacles such as power lines. once you get up to a safe height is the level of detail visible enough to be a privacy concern?

 

[mmn]

Thr thing is if you are flying far enough away to be anonymous (lets face it, our remote controls arent stealthy), chances are most of will be flying higher to increase range and avoid obstacles such as power lines. once you get up to a safe height is the level of detail visible enough to be a privacy concern?

It is to the uninformed. They don't know you can't see detail. When they see that satellites can zoom in and read a license plate they assume you can count their nose hairs from 30
meters!