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The issue is there is no transparency about what is happening with the data that is being collected.

• king_magic 6y ago
  Would it be any different if it was a police helicopter manned with a guy with a video camera?
  • colejohnson66 6y ago
    Yes, because a police helicopter is different for two reasons: (1) it’s not operated by CBP (who have no jurisdiction here), and (2) a police helicopter doesn’t have Hellfire missile bays.
    • king_magic 6y ago
      Putting aside the CBP issue (fair point, agreed, that's weird), it's not like police helicopters haven't been used for pretty bad things in the past - e.g. when Philadelphia firebombed it's citizens in the 80s. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOVE https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOVE
      • morsch 6y ago
        Such a weird way of putting police reaper drones into context.
  • Thriptic 6y ago
    Well, first I can almost guarantee that the surveillance tech being employed on a predator drone is substantially more advanced and wide ranging than a simple human operated video camera, but I also don't think it's a good idea to have guys with video cameras in helicopters recording protests either unless it's to film illegality. It has a chilling effect on the exercise of free speech. Peaceful protesters really shouldn't be getting surveiled / data gathered during protests shouldn't be getting mined, and unless authorities can guarantee that isn't happening then recording makes me uncomfortable.