Floridians won’t be able to use drones to spy on their neighbors -- at least not legally.
Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill prohibiting the use of drones for surveillance anywhere there’s a “reasonable expectation of privacy,” such as flying over someone’s backyard.
The restrictions would also apply to state and local governments. The law, which takes effect July 1, does not call for any criminal penalties. Instead it allows people to sue someone who photographs them with a drone. It includes several exceptions, including drone use by utility companies and property appraisers.
The law joins existing limitations on drones that ban law enforcement from using them to collect evidence without a warrant, but the issue will likely return in future legislative sessions as use of the technology grows. For example, Amazon is preparing to launch a drone service to deliver packages within a half hour of an order being placed online.
- Miami Herald staff and wire services