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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCreeps Embrace a New Tool: Peeping Drones
by Michael B Marois
5:00 AM EDT
May 5, 2015
It was the blinking lights outside the 10th-story window of her San Jose, California, condo that startled Elsvette Buenaventura from her bed last year. When she drew back the curtain, a small drone hovered a few feet away. In the days that followed, it returned at least three more times.
Such stories have prompted lawmakers in a half-dozen U.S. states to outlaw the use of drones to snoop on peoples homes. More states are set to follow.
We dont know what he was looking for with his camera-drone, said Buenaventura, 32. All we felt was a violation of our privacy.
For less than $1,000, small, remotely operated aircraft are increasingly available on the Internet and at hobby stores, and some can be equipped with equally affordable high-definition cameras. At the same time, some of America's biggest companies names like Chevron Corp. and BNSF Railway Co. are pushing to use drones for everything from pipeline inspection to land surveys. Their use has pushed lawmakers to weigh the rights of drone pilots against the potential for nefarious intrusions.
Camera-equipped drones have commercial uses they can inspect crops, photograph real estate and survey land. As the government figures out how to regulate that activity, it has begun rapidly granting waivers from federal rules to drones-for-hire. Scores of companies have obtained permission to fly them.
more...
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-05/creeps-embrace-a-new-tool-peeping-drones
el_bryanto
(11,804 posts)Kind of depressing.
Bryant
951-Riverside
(7,234 posts)Don't do anything near an open window that you wouldnt want the world to see.
lapfog_1
(29,189 posts)I could by a nice tripod and really good zoom lens for my camera for $1000.
And from another building or hillside... I could always have spied on my neighbors in their 10th story condo.
And they would never know.
So... other than the use of different technology... how is this different?
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)Line of sight restrictions are no longer an issue, ease of use, relatively lower prices for expanded capabilities, greater insurance of anonymity-- even when caught.
All differences, all relevant...
lapfog_1
(29,189 posts)the possibility of detection at long range is zero.
The drone flying 20 feet outside your window... detection is much more likely.
Line of sight... yeah... but if you live in the 10th floor of a condo... line of sight includes a *lot* of places.
Ease of use? Seriously... I flown quad copters... not hard, but not that easy... a tripod and scope... any child can do it.
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)lapfog_1
(29,189 posts)are almost always going to be visible from somewhere on the ground unless there is other buildings in the way.
Yes, the angles might not be good to look completely into the room.. but someone will be able to look into your window.
The flatter the terrain, the farther away they could position their telescope / zoom lens.
VScott
(774 posts)And it has the added plus of not being as obvious as taking pics with a 1' zoom lens.
http://www.cnet.com/products/canon-powershot-sx60-hs/
And that's optical zoom... not digital.
kentauros
(29,414 posts)lpbk2713
(42,736 posts)VScott
(774 posts)Just another example of a few fuckheads ruining it for everyone else.
Note... you'd think the idiot would have at least had the common sense to disable the lights
on the damn thing
hunter
(38,301 posts)There were always a few fully clothed pervs hiding in the bushes with long lens cameras.
They would have had a lot more fun with the rest of us naked people frolicking on the beach.