Last updated: February 17, 2024Since the invention of drones, these handy gadgets have been used in a variety of industries. With ever-evolving technologies, it comes as no surprise that more industries are using them. That said, it’s no longer that uncommon to see a drone in the area where you live or work. In fact, you may see a particular drone often enough to start wondering, “ why would a drone be following me?” There are several reasons why a drone could be hovering around in your immediate space. It can be anything as innocent as scenic photography or more necessary functions such as weather and traffic monitoring. If, however, you’re convinced that you’re being followed, then this article is for you. Keep reading to see why a drone could be following you and what you can do about it.
You may be surprised to learn that drones are used extensively for surveillance. Recent statistics indicate that as many as 30,000 drones Trusted Source Surveillance Drones | Electronic Frontier Foundation Surveillance drones or unmanned aerial systems (UASs) raise significant issues for privacy and civil liberties. Drones are capable highly advanced surveillance, and drones already in use by law enforcement can carry various types of equipment including live-feed video cameras, infrared cameras, heat sensors, and radar. www.eff.org are being used across the U.S. by different agencies. The main reason for this is that drones can get into areas that may be difficult for people on the ground to reach. Police drones are equipped with state-of-the-art cameras and automated license plate readers. You may be wondering, “Why would a police drone be following me?” Unfortunately, you may inadvertently be associating with a person of interest to the police. Or it may be as simple as you work or live in the area they have placed under surveillance.
You can see all sorts of professions use drones these days.
Aside from police surveillance, there could be many additional reasons why a drone is in your area. Some of the more prominent include:
We’ve all seen those movies where drones are used to eavesdrop on people’s conversations. And you might have been left thinking that those kinds of stories are a bit far-fetched. However, the truth will shock you. The reality is that if the drone is equipped with high-end surveillance technology, it’ll be quite capable of hearing and recording conversations. For the most part, though, the average hobby or consumer drone won’t have this feature.
Seeing a drone hovering over your property or near your person will make it easy to believe that the drone is following you.
The good news is that there are several ways to determine if you’re being watched or if you simply have a case of mild paranoia.
One of the easiest ways to determine if a drone is, in fact, following you is by using a radio counter-surveillance system. This system is designed to decode drone-generated radio signals as well as identify where any nearby drone signals are originating from.
If you’d rather not invest in actual drone detection equipment, you can opt for downloading an app to simplify the process. Applications such as Aerial Armor Trusted Source Aerial Armor Drone Detection Systems | UAV Detection & Drone Security System | Detect Intruders! A premium drone detection app available on both Apple and Android devices for security professionals only. www.aerialarmor.com and DroneWatcher Trusted Source Drone Watcher APP The DroneWatcher APP turns your smartphone or tablet device into a small UAV and drone finder that detects, alerts and records information on about 95% of consumer drones. download.cnet.com make it possible for users to detect drones by using their smart devices. Since these apps are available on both iOS and Android, anyone can access them. Innovative apps such as these are integrated with a few of the following nifty features to notify you when a drone has entered your designated airspace.
You may not be sold on the idea that an app can tell you if you’re being spied on. In that case, you can opt for an anti-drone detector device. Since these devices are specifically designed to detect Wi-Fi signals and radio signals in the area, drone detection just got a whole lot easier. The good news is that these devices can be found on Amazon and often cost between $25 to $35 only.
It’s very easy to become suspicious of a drone following you, especially if you have seen it pointing in your general direction more than once. Fortunately, there are some things you can do if you suspect a drone is following you.
Remember that the drone may simply be taking photos for the creation of new maps or monitoring something specific in the area.
In many instances, drones are simply in the area taking photos or general footage and have nothing to do with surveillance functions at all. It could also be a hobbyist taking their new toy out for a spin. Since professional drone operators are required by law to keep an eye on their drones, they shouldn’t be too hard to find. Wait until the operator is not flying the drone and ask them what they’re doing and why they’re in the area.
If you’re constantly seeing a drone in your neighborhood, start by familiarising yourself with drone laws in the area. Some laws prohibit the use of personal drones (such as those used by drone enthusiasts) in residential areas. However, since laws vary from state to state, it’s important to know which applies to your area in order to know if they are being broken. For the most part, all laws prohibit trespassing, harassment, and intentional spying. On the flip side, if you’re a drone operator, it’s important to stay within the regulated laws for each area. For one thing, ensuring that your drone is visible will ensure that you aren’t breaking certain laws. One way of doing this is to invest in the Lume Cube Drone Strobe Anti-collision lighting for Drones. This lighting makes it easy for your drone to meet the required visibility regulations by ensuring 360º visibility, making it easy for you and others always to see your drone. With its ultra-lightweight feature, it’s super easy to attach to any drone, ensuring that you remain within FAA requirements.
Record drone activity on several days and at different times to make your case and evidence stronger.
Depending on the time of the drone’s appearance in your area, you might grow increasingly convinced that it is following you. So, what do you do if a drone is spying on you? Before you reach out to the police, it’s important to obtain evidence. From a safe (and unseen) vantage point, use your smartphone to record the drone hovering above your property or general location. You could even ask a friend to record this to minimize the risk of the drone operator becoming suspicious. One instance of drone activity will hardly qualify as spying! Where possible, try to take clear photos of the drone in addition to your video footage. Be sure to capture your evidence from a range of different angles to show that the drone is near you or your property. After all, you don’t want your footage to appear too random. This will help authorities identify the drone in question. Additionally, you can also invest in a digital radio frequency hunter such as the DiscoverIt DefCon DD1206 Professional Digital Radio Frequency Detector Hunter Sweeper. It’s regarded by many as one of the best ways to search for digital and analog transmitters in the area. By detecting ACTIVE GSM, Bluetooth, RF, and Wi-Fi, its 16-segment bar graph provides you with a wide dynamic range. With its impressive 2-level sensitivity feature, the device uses an extra antenna to avoid interference from external sources such as broadcasting towers.
Once you have gathered your evidence, you can approach the local police. Initially, you’ll file a report against the drone operator (even if you don’t know who they are) and provide the police with all your evidence. They will investigate and determine if any laws have been broken. Be sure to continue gathering evidence if the drone activity continues whilst the police investigation is ongoing.
In addition to abiding by a state’s local laws regarding drone usage, operators must also adhere to regulations issued by the FAA. The Federal Aviation Administration Trusted Source Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO) Contact a FSDO for Low-flying aircraft, Accident Reporting, Air carrier certification and operations, Aircraft maintenance, Aircraft operational issues, Aircraft permits, Airmen certification (licensing) for pilots, mechanics, repairmen, dispatchers, and parachute riggers, Certification and modification issues, Enforcement of Airmen & Aircraft Regulations, Illegal Air Charter www.faa.gov regulates all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S. and that includes the use of drones. With that in mind, the FAA encourages people to report instances of drone misuse or operators not following the designated guidelines. Reaching out to them is quick and simple via their official FAA website Trusted Source How do I report a drone sighting? | Federal Aviation Administration If you witness a drone operation that appears dangerous or is being used to commit a crime please report it immediately to your local law enforcement first responders. They can protect public safety and can help discourage dangerous or illegal activities. www.faa.gov . Again, the clearer evidence you have, the better chance there will be of getting the matter resolved quickly.
There are several reasons why you might see a drone around your home or the area you live. If you’re starting to suspect that the drone is specifically following you, the good news is that there’s an easy way to detect this. Simply look directly at the drone to see if the red lights are facing your general direction. In this instance, the green lights will be pointed away from you. This usually means that the drone’s camera is pointed toward your general direction. Since drones can be used as well at night as during the day, it’s crucial to know how to spot a drone at night.
It’s illegal to shoot down a drone, no matter in which American state you are. There are two reasons for this. The first has to do with brandishing a weapon in a built-up area, and the second has to do with the destruction of private property. Since you don’t know the purpose (or, in most cases, the owner) of the drone, it would be illegal to shoot it down simply. You could, in turn, be charged for destruction of private property or additional charges if the drone belongs to a government agency legally working or monitoring crime in the area. The right course of action would always be to gather evidence and consult the police.
No one likes the thought of being spied on. So having a drone in your immediate vicinity on more than one occasion can be a little unnerving. Sometimes the answer to why a drone would be following me is as simple as coincidence. Or a matter of you being in the same area where traffic or weather surveillance is happening. However, if you’re convinced that this is not the case, it’s important to take immediate action. Gather evidence from a safe vantage point and approach the local authorities.
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