UK Councils Embrace Drones: Privacy Fears Rise

Local authorities across the UK are significantly increasing their use of drones, with over 60 councils now employing certified pilots. This surge fuels concerns that citizens may be subjected to intrusive monitoring from above. The UK's Civil Aviation Authority data indicates this trend, though the actual number of public drone operators could be higher as not all employers sponsor their pilots.

Privacy advocates, like Big Brother Watch, express alarm, likening the situation to "spies in the sky." While acknowledging potential benefits such as flood monitoring or land surveys, the group stresses the need for strict safeguards to prevent unchecked surveillance. They argue that with existing widespread CCTV, aerial cameras are an unnecessary intrusion on privacy and civil liberties.

Despite these warnings, some councils are actively expanding their drone programs. Hammersmith and Fulham Council, for instance, plans to integrate drones into its enforcement team, augmenting existing CCTV with facial recognition to tackle antisocial behavior. Other authorities are also deploying drones for various purposes, from crime detection to environmental enforcement, highlighting a growing reliance on this technology.