Drones and YOUR privacy - a Police matter?

Hey everyone! In this clip from the police drone Q&A, Sean brings up the topic of privacy and if it is something enforced by UK police. This is a wider topic we will be covering more in future videos but Mike Paterson from the National Police Chiefs’ Council gives feedback in terms of police enforcement in terms of privacy and drone flight. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
With thanks to the National Police Chiefs’ Council team and Mike Paterson for coming along to answer the questions. We will be holding similar Q&As again soon, so ask your questions in the comments!
For more information on the legislation discussed in today’s video:
www.legislatio...
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[@danthedroneman5771]

Having dealt with a local issue like this recently where on one day someone was asking about a drone flying over their garden and again at 2am, and some days later a random person copying and pasting the "privacy" text from the CAA website, I do what I've always done every single time the problem/question has arisen and explain that 99.5 out of 100 times it's going to be someone taking photos of a sunset or a nearby point of interest. To further prove a point I sent my Mini 3 Pro up at 9pm, filmed the RC screen and dropped the gimbal down to the floor. You could see basically nothing except the odd light. I already knew this of course as I've flown at night before but having the evidence there helps others to understand how limited these drones are. A day or two later some randomer messaged me. Turns out he's autistic, can't go outside, so flies his Mini 4K from the confines of his garden and barely more than 50m away at that. I'm going to use that as a prime example of why people should think critically before assuming they're important enough for someone to point a drone at them.

[@Geeksvana]

Hey Dan! Some excellent points and I agree with the general point of why is someone so fascinating that drones want to record them. Really like the idea of putting camera down to show detail of surrounds. That could be very useful!

[@Steve_G7RTA]

The point about people not minding hot air balloons etc is a good one. People love to see them (on more than one occasion when I was growing up, we would rush out with a camera if there was a balloon flying over) same with paragliders etc. People like to see them.. so why not drones? 🤔 The other thing which you mentioned Sean, is that your drone could be photographing the nearby mountains etc. Just because you’re flying over a house, doesn’t mean you have any interest in it. I personally have hovered over houses, while trying to photograph a viaduct… and other similar things. When the police helicopter flies over your house, it’s probably looking a mile or so up the road. It’s the same with drones. 👍😀 Cheers Steve

[@kensteele3363]

As usual, the answer is if the police are called then there must be something nefarious going on and therefore the police *will* get involve. In theory, the circumstances will determine but in reality, the police will transition the situation "to other things" depending on who is flying that drone. The police will need to come out and make contact to see who they are dealing with before they determine how far to take it. Just like everything else in the UK, justice is primarily based on class, race, status, etc. Drones are no different. There may be exceptions but for the most part, you can expect the same. As you mentioned, drone flyers should not expect to get the benefit of the doubt.

[@danthedroneman5771]

If justice was based on class, race and status then all of these white male "auditors" would be getting their arses handed to them. But they're not, are they, because you're wrong.

[@cyclelaw9764]

The problem is when someone calls the police on a drone pilot who isn’t doing anything wrong and then argues with that person until the police come it turns into more maybe even physical

[@conorstewart2214]

The harassment one is a difficult topic that will need clarification. If you are flying a few metres above their garden repeatedly then sure but if you are just flying over at a decent height above it then there should be no problem regardless of whether it causes an annoyance or not. Plenty of things that are legal to do cause annoyance to others. Some people would get annoyed if you just played music at an acceptable volume in your garden or had friends round. Some people get annoyed if you drive your car home from work late at night since it wakes them up. Basing what is legal on other peoples annoyance is not a good way to do things in most cases since it is so subjective and some people are miserable and just like to moan. As long as what you are doing isn’t deliberately or obviously annoying like hovering or flying a few metres above their garden and you aren’t doing anything illegal then it shouldn’t really matter if it annoys them although you should always try not to annoy people.

[@leet3707]

@@conorstewart2214 harassment is exactly what I've been accused of. By flying near my own garden with an irrational neighbour 3 doors down. Since May, police have been here 3 times. First: neighbour accused me of stalking his daughter before trying to force front door open. Police arrival said I was doing nothing wrong. Second: police arrived, very aggressive making false accusations towards why I'd bought a Drone and 'strange behaviour' flying over my street. Seized the Drone. Since purchased a second. Third: neighbour started altercation accusing me of spying before making threats to shoot it down. Police arrived and again said I was doing nothing wrong.

[@leet3707]

As I've already commented on the "taking off from your garden video" the silence was deafening. I have recently started flying a Drone around my area, flying high and non stop. I have regularly had police on my street due to hysteria caused by two neighbours on the street. One who flies model aircraft and has made many false statements and allegations against me, such as: Flying without Article 16 Authority Flying without Authority Not informing police of flights Invasion of privacy Endangering an aircraft (air ambulance) This culminated in two VERY AGGRESSIVE officers accusing me of "only buying a Drone to antagonise neighbours" and seized it. Had another neighbour trying to push my door in to threaten me, police arrived and said I'd done nothing wrong. As police refuse to tell me when Drone will be returned, since purchased a second. Last weekend a third neighbour started an altercation on the street, making threats to shoot it down. Police at first not interested and disconnected calls. They finally responded at weekend and warned neighbour of criminal damage threats and explained privacy is not being invaded and flights are legal and she is happy with flights taken. I still have a seized Drone on what I believe is malice and being investigated by an officer so convinced I've purchased a Drone last Nov and waited until May to fly is intent to harass. How long is reasonable as I keep getting told its low priority and could be months while still paying finance and also DJI refresh. Now forensics are dealing with recent riots, it will be pushed further down the list. This accusation is malice amongst others and police HAVE NEVER SUGGESTED flights near my own property are harassing - they just took it after other accusations that DON'T APPLY to a SUB250 such as flying at 18m. I have 3 cases for libel and deformation in progress through house insurance but police on the seize visit is concerning as misinformed. Drone co-ordinator for Lancs police already visited and suggested there is no case to answer, so why haven't I got my Drone back? CAA text on Privacy is vague and misleading at best and those not understanding Privacy laws would automatically assume there is infringement by the way it is worded and dial 101.

[@Geeksvana]

There is no way I or anyone else not connected with the case could make any form of valuable comment. I hope it gets resolved soon.

[@leet3707]

@@Geeksvana who trains the police, sets their guidelines as the conversation and accusations from two police officers who swore an oath "without fear or favour", yet even they have falsely accused me. Would NPCC not be interested? Are you aware a number of MINI3 and MINI4 are suffering a common fault. Returned one last week and lady at shop said before prompting "down sensor fault" causing loss of RC connection and forced RTH. She said they'd had a lot back. Worrying when it happens which seems to be when Camera UP DOWN on C1 is used a few times. I believe a loose wire to the camera gimble.

[@helen677]

We won’t have any privacy. They’ve already told us that.

[@cassielakin]

I hover below the fence line when i check it over but when i fly it goes up fast so im not appearimg to be a voyeur lol

[@Geeksvana]

I am the same! By the time anyone turns to see what happened, the drone is up and away!

[@cassielakin]

@@Geeksvana my neighbour did say he wants to be able to chuck a helipad out on his lawn like mine and get in a drone that will take him to tenerife without all the faff lol

[@leet3707]

@@cassielakin come to Preston - police are here before the first battery runs low. 19 minutes is their fastest turn out from first take off to cruising the street.

[@conorstewart2214]

I don’t get why people think that any drone flying nearby is filming them. I don’t doubt drones have been used for that but the vast majority of pilots just aren’t interested in filming random people or looking in windows. Why would anyone want to film the average person anyway? There are far more interesting things to film and photograph than random people and most people when flying try to a pod people as much as possible, staying as far as they can from people and houses, how good do they think the cameras on these drones are?

[@leet3707]

@@conorstewart2214 newspaper click-bait. Fear mongering in exchange for revenue. Daily Mail and Express are the worst. I've driven an EV for 3yrs and still waiting to replace the 100% capacity battery before it bursts into flames!

[@johnburns5783]

Far too many Karen's these days though 😉😉

[@Geeksvana]

Hey John! I thought calling the video 'Dear Karen' might be too on the nose 🤣😂

[@leet3707]

Like this pleasantry before threatening me on the street and that he'll shoot it down. "@⁨Lee⁩ can you stop spying on us with your drone we are just sitting in the garden having a drink don’t worry 😀" Neighbours have tried to accuse me of following single females, invading privacy, endangering air ambulances, harassment (ongoing) and the latest - the noise is annoying. Which is rich from a guy who uses a petrol lawnmower 2 to 3 times a week for nearly an hour!!

[@Goat.Herder]

it makes me laugh when people complain about privacy yet they're happy giving away their biometric data on tictok which then sits in china.