How police drones technology can be used at a protest

A guide to how police drone technology may be used at protests, and how you can try to maintain anonymity (UK edition).

Explainer

Post date

5th May 2021

Key points

Police drones usually come equipped with cameras but might also be equipped with speakers, surveillance equipment or communication interception tools.
Drones may be used to track people’s movements during a protest, or monitor protesters’ calls and messages.
Maintaining your anonymity will depend on the technologies that the drones are equipped with.

What are police drones?

Drones are remotely controlled Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) of varying sizes.
They usually come equipped with cameras and might be enabled with Facial Recognition Technology.
Drones can be equipped with speakers, surveillance equipment, radar and communications interception tools, such as ‘IMSI catchers’.

How might drones be used during protests?

Camera-enabled drones may be used to remotely monitor and track people’s movements in public spaces, including at protests, without them consenting or even knowing.
Similarly, when equipped with communication interception technologies, drones can be used to monitor and track protestors’ calls and messages, in and around the area where a protest is taking place.
Drones equipped with speakers may also be used to communicate with protesters, for example by giving them orders, instructions or warnings [1].

What to think about when going to a protest

Drones use and impact on with your anonymity depends on the technologies they are equipped with.
See our separate guides about Facial Recognition Technology and IMSI catchers, as these are common tools that a drone could use to monitor the activities of protestors.

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