With consumer spending on drones expected to hit an all-time high this Christmas, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) is reaffirming its call for regulators to update the privacy rules associated with drone use.
It was reported that consumer drone sales rose by 24% ahead of the Christmas shopping rush in December 2014, with electronics dealer Maplin Direct reporting domestic drone sales of over 10,000 units over a 12-month period.
The CLA, which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses, is concerned that current drone-use regulations are not robust enough to ensure that privacy is maintained considering the growth in drone availability and popularity as gifts in recent years.
CLA Isle of Wight Director Belinda Walters said:
“We do not wish to spoil anyone’s fun over Christmas, especially as drones are a ‘must-have’ gift for many. But the growth in the availability of drones with high resolution cameras for consumer use, rather than industry, presents a significant risk to privacy and requires action.”
The European Aviation Safety Agency opened a consultation in July 2015 on the introduction of a regulatory framework for the operation of drones.
The CLA responded to the consultation through its sister organisation, the European Landowners’ Organization (ELO), arguing for further controls on privacy, data protection and future regulation to give good guidance on what circumstances individuals can expect privacy in relation to both residential properties and privately owned land.
Belinda added:
“Earlier in the year we put forward workable proposals for regulation reform, and we will be pressing the relevant authorities in Europe and within the UK to address this issue.
“I urge those buying drones as gifts for friends and families to use common sense and follow the CLA’s top tips when operating them in order to ensure both public safety and privacy.”
