Not the Drones again

BCSnob wrote:
using airplanes/copters as analogies for drones is inappropriate. To fly a drone one does not need a license. If a plane/copter is infringing on privacy or flying inappropriately they can be reported using the registration numbers; this is not possible with drones.

I think we can all agree there needs to be clear cut regulations defining where the personal liberty of drone flying infringes on personal privacy of another and have a legal recourse when infringement occurs.

X2.

This is new territory and will need to be worked out. Having discussions about it isn't bad.

While I don't suspect anyone wants to fly a drone over my backyard taking video of me, I do understand celebrities (local or global), politicians, peace officers, etc., taking issue with a drone flying over their yard taking video of them. Currently, the laws are generally "if you can reasonably see the person from a public location, then they do not have an expectation of privacy". Drones change that drastically! No longer must I personally see you from the roadway, now I can stand in the roadway and fly my drone over your 6 ft fence and video you in the "privacy" of your backyard. Just because you don't care if someone videos you from a drone overhead, doesn't mean that others shouldn't care. That issue needs to be dealt with.

The other issue that needs to be dealt with is the quantity of drones in any given space. Sure, it'd be great to fly a drone over Niagara Falls to video it. But how many drones can reasonably fly over the falls at one time before the view is ruined for all the other visitors? One doesn't seem like a terrible thing - but what happens when there are a hundred or more flying around and around all day and night. This would also be a part of the noise argument - one drone may be slightly annoying, a hundred drones could completely destroy the enjoyment of whatever you're trying to enjoy.