Curbs Needed on Police Drone Surveillance of Public Gatherings

Urges Governor Chris Christie to Sign the Bill Giving Strong Protections Against Abusive Drone Surveillance January 13, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: 212-549-2666, media@aclu.org NEWARK – The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ) applauds the passage of a bill that offers some of the strongest protections in the nation against drone surveillance. This bill requires police to obtain a warrant before using a surveillance drone, except in certain extraordinary situations; requires law enforcement to discard information that is not relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation within 14 days; and prohibits the weaponization of drones in New Jersey. The bill has been approved in the state Senate and Assembly. The following is a statement from Udi Ofer, executive director of the ACLU-NJ: The legislation passed today by the State Legislature puts in place in New Jersey some of the strongest civil liberties protections in the nation against abusive drone surveillance. It does so by placing strong restrictions on when and how law enforcement agencies can use this powerful technology. Drone technology is growing by leaps and bounds, yet there are no meaningful rules in place in New Jersey to regulate this technology. We urge Governor Christie to sign this legislation into law immediately and protect New Jerseyans’ privacy rights. Under the bill passed by the legislature, law enforcement agencies will be required to obtain a warrant before they use a drone and to discard content collected by drones if unrelated to an ongoing criminal investigation. As with other laws that require warrants, there are narrow exceptions for extraordinary situations. This bill is a significant first step in the right direction in regulating police drone use. The ACLU-NJ will continue to monitor the implementation of this bill and will remain vigilant in protecting the civil liberties of all New Jerseyans and ensure that drone technology is not abused by law enforcement.

Bill Would Place Safeguards on Use of Drones for Surveillance Purposes March 14, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: (212) 549-2666; media@aclu.org RALEIGH – The American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina is voicing its strong support for a bipartisan bill introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly this week that would place safeguards on the use of drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles, in North Carolina. "We applaud this bipartisan group of lawmakers for coming together in the interest of protecting privacy rights for all North Carolinians," said Sarah Preston, Policy Director for the ACLU-NC. "Across the country, law enforcement agencies are greatly expanding their use of domestic drones to conduct surveillance on citizens, often without any oversight. We urge the North Carolina General Assembly to seize this opportunity to place strong safeguards and regulations on the use of drones, before this technology spreads further in North Carolina." H.B. 312, the "Preserving Privacy Act of 2013," would prohibit individuals and government agencies, including law enforcement, from using a drone to gather evidence or other data on individuals without first obtaining a warrant that shows probable cause of criminal activity. The bill includes an exception that allows law enforcement to use a drone to conduct searches if the agency possesses "reasonable suspicion" that immediate action is necessary to prevent certain types of immediate harm. The bill's primary sponsors are Representatives Mitchell Setzer (R-Catawba), Tim Moffit (R-Buncombe), Duane Hall (D-Wake), and Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford). The city council of Monroe, North Carolina, recently gave its police department approval to purchase a $44,000 drone equipped with a rotating infrared camera that could be used to monitor and store data on citizens. The Gaston County Police Department purchased a similar drone in 2006 for $30,000, but officials say it has never been used because of mechanical problems. The Federal Aviation Administration has estimated that as many as 30,000 drones could be in American skies by the end of the decade.

Judiciary Committee To Hear Testimony on Bill Requiring a Warrant in Most Cases February 25, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: (212) 549-2666; media@aclu.org AUGUSTA – The ACLU of Maine and other privacy advocates will testify tomorrow in favor of a bill to put reasonable limits on law enforcement use of drones for surveillance. "An Act To Protect the Privacy of Citizens from Domestic Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Use," sponsored by Sen. John Patrick (D-Rumford), would require a warrant in most cases before police could use the unmanned aerial vehicles for surveillance. A Freedom of Information Act request last year revealed a growing list of police departments gaining permission to fly drones. The Federal Aviation Administration estimates there could be as many as 10,000 drones in U.S. airspace by 2015. “Mainers shouldn’t have to fear that unmanned drones would be spying on our homes and our backyards. Unfortunately, cheap technology and a change in the federal rules make the specter of backyard surveillance a real and terrifying possibility,” said Shenna Bellows, executive director of the ACLU of Maine. “The legislature should act this year to put in place reasonable safeguards to protect us from unfettered drone surveillance before it’s too late.” Bellows will have media availability at the State House on Tuesday. The ACLU of Maine has acquired a drone that will be on hand. WHAT:Public hearing on LD 236, "An Act To Protect the Privacy of Citizens from Domestic Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Use" WHEN:Tuesday, February 26; 1:30 p.m. WHERE: Maine State House Judiciary Committee Learn more: www.aclumaine.org/privacy