From Slashdot:
Mr_Blank writes
"Organizations like the EFF and ACLU have been raising the alarm over increased government surveillance of U.S. citizens. Legislators haven't been quick to respond to concerns of government spying on citizens. But Texas legislators are apparently quite concerned that private citizens operating hobby drones might spot environmental violations by businesses. Representative Lance Gooden has introduced HB912 which proposes: 'A person commits an offense if the person uses or authorizes the use of an unmanned vehicle or aircraft to capture an image without the express consent of the person who owns or lawfully occupies the real property captured in the image. ('Image' is defined as including any type of recorded telemetry from sensors that measure sound waves, thermal, infrared, ultraviolet, visible light, or other electromagnetic waves, odor, or other conditions.)' Can you foresee any unintended consequences if this proposal becomes law?"
Another reader notes that New Hampshire has introduced a similar bill: "Neal Kurk, a Republican member of New Hampshire's House of Representatives knows that those drones present a growing privacy concern, and in response has introduced a bill that would ban all aerial photography in the state. That is, unless you're working for the government. The bill, HB 619-FN (PDF), is blessedly short, and I suggest reading the whole thing for yourself." Here's part of the bill: "A person is guilty of a class A misdemeanor if such person knowingly creates or assists in creating an image of the exterior of any residential dwelling in this state where such image is created by or with the assistance of a satellite, drone, or any device that is not supported by the ground."
Article at: Slashdot
Comments
If this passes, all Texas FPV pilots have to become "reporters". Reporting on the weather conditions in our communities. Maybe I'll start a news blog... "Weather from the Air.org". I think this bill would have a hard time standing up to the first amendment, both under speech and press.
Another funny/ironic thing is that this freshman rep (Gooden) is in the Tea Party that supposedly advocates for small, unobtrusive government, yet this and several other bills he's introduced in Texas seem to be for the exact opposite. He clearly is emboldened by all the attention he is getting. Texas has adequate privacy laws in place that already apply to aerial photography (and any other form of photography). No need to outlaw actions that don't have criminal intent.
Paranoid obnoxious and ignorant bastards everywhere.
Fast forward >>
...Representative Lance Gooden has introduced Hbxxx which proposes: A comprehensive incentive structure designed to encourage business emigration--from the burgeoning robotic industries forming around the world--into our barren lands, we really could use some economic growth now that everyone is traveling around on robot-hover-boards powered by positive emotions, our oil revenues are a bit flat :-(
This guys is a puppet who doesn't deserve to be in office, as it seems like he is just saying what people want to hear. Can someone please send this guy a clue.
Everything is bigger in Texas.... including the paranoid hypocritical politicians.
Fast forward >>
...Representative Lance Gooden has introduced Hbxxx which proposes: A comprehensive incentive structure designed to encourage business emigration--from the burgeoning robotic industries forming around the world--into our barren lands, we really could use some economic growth now that everyone is traveling around on robot-hover-boards powered by positive emotions, our oil revenues are a bit flat :-(
I would imagine that since news companies are commercial that it would be illegal for them to do any photography/ information gathering from the air as well ... right????
If we are concerned about privacy, I don't see why the new's companies are any different.
So I guess Global Earth is going to be removed along with sat maps eTc.
Well, This is kind of schizophrenic behavior if you think about it. They are rabidly protecting the right to bear arms, but talking a picture from the air to the ground is somehow harming someones privacy? It's like when the Native Americans long ago did not want to be photographed because it would steal a little bit of your soul or some thing. I guess at least in Texas you could photo your own ranch, but don't let your neighbors house get in there. This is crazy. If your outdoors and some one can see you then oh well. This was resolved years ago as a first amendment right.
Figures, Texas the most clear example of an aerial drone being used for the direct benefit of the people of the United States is the State immediately setting out to remove any possibility of that ever happening again.
The Companies run the government for their own benefit.
It is important to understand who our true enemies are.