Drones
Private individuals, companies and governments are increasingly using drones. This page tells you more about the use of drones and the processing of personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
On this page
About drones
A drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle, with or without a camera. This information is about drones with cameras. In addition to the general rules under the GDPR there are specific points of interest due to the characteristics and possibilities of drones and the potential impact of those drones on the privacy of data subjects.
Drones can be equipped with high-resolution cameras. This makes it possible to make detailed and zoomed-in video recordings from the air.
Drones can also make video recordings of places that are otherwise difficult or impossible to film. Drones can also be steered as needed and are able to cover large distances in a short time.
Invasion of privacy
Drones with cameras can record in places where people expect to be unobserved. This includes private areas or places without options for installing fixed cameras. Drones can also easily track people.
Moreover, drones are often impossible or difficult to see, let alone that someone can see that a camera is attached to a drone and whether that camera is filming or not. All these characteristics can lead to a major invasion of privacy.
You must therefore find out if, by using your drone, you are processing personal data.