According to Wired magazine, there are few laws that specifically apply to private drones (yet), but plenty of existing regulations that might cover their behavior.
- Peeping Tom laws say you can’t view a fully or partially nude person without their knowledge, so long as they have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
- If you intrude upon the privacy of a clothed person, then they could sue you – but they’ll need to demonstrate what harm has occurred.
- The FAA prohibits most commercial uses of drones, but this is likely to be relaxed by 2015.
- The police should be able to use drones to replace helicopters – being operated by a pilot in the vehicle or elsewhere makes no difference. Thermal imaging and other intrusive technologies remain generally off-limits.
- Police can follow you car, but not track your activities all day without a warrant.
