Rescue mission

You are a national authority wanting to use drones on rescue missions during an emergency or after a natural or humanitarian disaster. For example, you deploy a drone equipped with thermal imaging, a mobile phone signal sensor and GPS capabilities to search for hikers lost in the woods.

Below you will see some of the main privacy and data protection issues that could arise in this situation and tips/ safeguards for how to avoid them. Keep in mind the detailed information provided in the Handbook.

Privacy and Data Protection

  • PRIVACY

    Transparency, visibility and accountability:  Drones
    can remain undetected by individuals on the ground, who may not be aware that
    a drone is in operation or that it is collecting their personal data. This is
    especially true in the forest where trees could obstruct the visibility of the
    drone. Even if people notice it, they are unlikely to be able to identify the
    operator or the specific mission that is being undertaken.

    Bodily privacy:  This can be threatened when drones are
    fitted with equipment that, aside from visual information, has also thermal
    (e.g. thermal sensors) or other capabilities, e.g. facial recognition,
    biological and chemical sensors.

    Privacy of location and space: Persons have the right to
    move freely without being identified, tracked and monitored, even in public
    spaces. Use the drone to look for and pursue specific people only in emergency
    circumstances.