What are the ethical considerations in the use of drones for surveillance and law enforcement?
Searched over 200M research papers
Summary
7 papers analyzed
These studies suggest that ethical considerations in the use of drones for surveillance and law enforcement include accountability standards, regulatory criteria, human rights concerns, safety and security/privacy by design, and adherence to ethical principles such as Just War, AI ethics, and virtue ethics.
Not a yes or no question
To use the Consensus Meter, try asking a simple yes or no question
Research summarized with Copilot
Beta20 papers analyzed
Ethical Considerations in the Use of Drones for Surveillance and Law Enforcement
The use of drones for surveillance and law enforcement has become increasingly prevalent, raising significant ethical concerns. These concerns revolve around privacy, human rights, and the potential for misuse of power. This synthesis aims to present the key ethical considerations identified in recent research.
Key Insights
-
Privacy and Human Rights Violations:
- The use of drones for crowd monitoring and protests can infringe on privacy rights, free speech, the right to protest, and freedom of movement. These rights must be balanced against public safety .
- Surveillance by drones can lead to governmental domination and pervasive surveillance if no safeguards are in place.
-
Accountability and Regulation:
- There is a need for accountability standards, model legislation provisions, and regulatory criteria to ensure ethical drone surveillance.
- Codes of conduct and security/privacy by design are recommended as ethical measures to guide drone use in the absence of specific legal regulations .
-
Ethical Use of Force:
- The use of armed drones in law enforcement should adhere to established ethical principles such as necessity, proportionality, and precaution. The potential for misuse in domestic settings requires careful consideration.
-
Public Interest vs. Moral Hazards:
- While drones can serve the public interest in areas like search and rescue, crime scene investigation, and hostage situations, they also create moral hazards by potentially catering to the interests of some at the expense of others .
-
Legal and Ethical Concerns in Specific Contexts:
- The effectiveness and ethical implications of drone use in law enforcement vary by context, such as national security surveillance and facial recognition processes, which require careful legal examination to prevent harm.
Conclusion
The ethical considerations in the use of drones for surveillance and law enforcement are multifaceted, involving privacy, human rights, accountability, and the ethical use of force. Balancing public safety with individual rights, establishing robust regulatory frameworks, and adhering to ethical principles are crucial to addressing these concerns. The potential benefits of drone technology must be weighed against the risks of misuse and infringement on civil liberties.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Try another search
Email or Communication Error: Inappropriate handling of sensitive information through email or other
Does virtual reality reduce pain?
What are the effects of long-term dietary supplement use on health and nutrient absorption?
Guns or firearms free access and homicide
What main research lack on e-waste management in India from legal aspect
drinking water dispenser and mosquito larvae