Lately, we have
talked about using drones in foreign countries: Afghanistan and particularly
Pakistan. However, the thought of using drones in the United States, as
surveillance is extremely frightening. The public safety authorities will use
the unmanned aircraft called the Qube, which they can use to monitor criminal
activity, rescue missions, etc. The Federal Aviation Administration needs to
establish regulations on individual’s privacy to assure proper protection. My
main concerns are privacy and corruption. As one privacy advocate Harley Geiger
states, “Drones are basically flying video cameras.” How will you be able to
tell who is watching you? There is no guarantee how secure these unmanned
aircrafts will be against outside hackers. Although the aircrafts are supposed
to be used for security purposes and things along that line, we all know that
corruption exists and is still prevalent. The authority figures can potentially
abuse the usage of the unmanned aircraft and use it for their own selfish needs.
Not only can the authority figures abuse the system but also expert hackers.
Drones can easily be turned into something negative. Killers can use the system
to track their next target, stalkers can violate their victims, predators can
watch children, etc these are the potential hazards of the unmanned aircraft.
As I express my
disdain for drones as surveillance in the United States, I can only imagine how
the citizens of Afghanistan and Pakistan feel. They constantly have their
privacy violated as we search for terrorist activity. As much as I value my
privacy, I can only sympathize with those people on how they must feel. This of
course leads back to the hatred a lot of foreign countries have towards the
United States. Nothing gives us the right to infringe on other’s privacy,
especially since a lot of the surveillance is unknown.
Are you calling for an end to drone use within the United States or are you calling for a clear set of guidelines or laws that can help us use them to their best effect?
ReplyDeleteI believe that there must be a distinct set of regulations for drone usage in the United States to prevent from infringing on our privacy. Drones have the potential to be used for good in respect to agriculture and crime prevention, but in order to prevent a 1984-esque scenario where surveillance restricts freedom, all activity must be reviewed and proven constitutional.
ReplyDeleteIt seems as though drone usage in the States could start us down a slippery slope. It would be pretty scary to see a 1984-type situation, however unlikely. To avoid that altogether, I agree that there should be distinct regulations that we should not waver on.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Matt that using drones in the United States could be harmful for the future of the United States. A country built upon freedom and justice for all could into a country in which freedom is restricted by government surveillance over its citizens. How is it fair that we are infringing upon the privacy of civilians living in other countries? If another country attempted to use drones in the United States we would not stand for it. I can only hope that drones will not become a part of normal everyday life in our country's future.
ReplyDeleteI think the United States should permanently stay away from having drones used for public surveillance on a daily basis. If we create a law that limits the U.S law enforcements use of drones to strictly emergency situations, than there would be much less risk involved. Maybe in the future there will be such things as "drone warrants" in addition to search warrants.
ReplyDeleteI believe drones that are used for surveillance are there for our safety. They gather information that will ultimately protect United States citizens. I believe that drones should absolutely be used in combat zones, like Afghanistan and Pakistan. I do not think there should be many guidelines on drone use in those areas. We are fighting an enemy that has no rules, no guidelines, and no rules of engagement, so it is difficult, and crippling, to the United States to keep adding rules for our armed forces to follow. That is my opinion. As far as law enforcement using drones, I believe a lot of good can come out of drones if used properly, and the correct guidelines are set. However, I believe the drones should be able to go anywhere a police officer could. So unless the drone enters a house/dwelling i don't believe it should require a warrant. What ever the drone would see would be in plain sight (outside, looking through car windows, etc) and able to be used in court. Again, this is just my opinion.
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