Flying Paparazzi Drones to Track Celebrities From Above

by Amar Toor on November 5, 2010 at 09:50 AM

Today's high-profile celebrities may have perfected the art of avoiding paparazzi on the streets of Beverly Hills, but they might want to turn their attention skyward, as well. That's because celebrity photo agency Splash News is developing a camera-equipped drone aircraft to track the rich and famous from above. "It would strike fear in the hearts of every celebrity having a birthday party," Splash chief executive Gary Morgan tells the Wall Street Journal. "Call it C3paparazzo."

Fortunately for Hollywood luminaries, FAA regulations currently prohibit private companies from flying drones domestically. But there is a loophole; the federal agency hasn't yet taken a hard stance on recreational drones, which can be purchased online, or built at home with materials available on the Web. The FAA "recommends" that these drones remain at an elevation below 400 feet, and that they stay away from airports and other commercial craft, but it has yet to implement more stringent regulations. This gray area could provide an easy way for lawyers to justify the use of amateur drones to track celebrities, or even cheating husbands.

It's still unclear which route the FAA will take. Concerns from privacy advocates and watchdogs could very well spur tighter restrictions on drone use, but the agency may also hesitate to curtail something that's quickly become a burgeoning private industry. Because software and hardware designs are now widely available online, many amateur aviation enthusiasts have begun developing their own drones, and are collectively advancing the technology. It may be only a matter of time, then, before unmanned airborne paparazzi become a reality -- and before someone like Gary Busey starts investing in surface-to-air missiles.

Tags: aircraft, celebrities, celebrity, drone, faa, Hollywood, paparazzi, photos, SplashNews, tabloid, top

via: PopSci
source: WSJ

Comments

GeometricmanNov 7th 2010 7:25AM

Highly Ranked

Boys, toys war....you can be sure Celebrity security will come up with APP's...Anti-Paparazzi Projectiles for the tamer celebs.
As for the rest it should give a boost to shotgun sales and skeet shooting lessons! Or maybe they'll just ring up Ted Nugent...I'm sure he has a few ideas about how to take these things out...slently.

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frankNov 7th 2010 7:41AM

Neutral

@(Unverified), I was going to say the same thing. A shotgun and sure aim should solve the problem, eventually these photographers would get tired of having to replaced ruined drones.

More needs to be done to protect celebrities from this kind of harassment. They may be famous but it doesn't mean they deserve to be hassled every breathing moment of their lives.

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jon brijaNov 7th 2010 9:13AM

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@(Unverified)
This is a legitimate hobby and many people make a living making aerial video for commercial purposes. We all know the knee jerk reaction is going to be outlawing this equipment. Why don't we just make some laws and arrest these scumbag papparazzi for invading people's privacy. The make me sick. There needs to be minimum jail time for these dirt bags.

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MichelleNov 7th 2010 8:07AM

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Omg.....when is the insanity EVER going to end? When are people going to have RESPECT? A long lost quality so sadly missed...........

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momnicakuntzNov 7th 2010 8:19AM

Neutral

This is pretty invasive.

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Pks29733Nov 7th 2010 8:51AM

Low Ranked

Celebrities run from the paparazzi, but other businesses would die for all the 'free' advertising! If you don't want 'paparazzi', fans, pictures, etc.- - - DON'T become a 'Star'! If you want privacy, don't strive to be on t.v. or in the movies. If you want to be on t.v. or 'in the movies' be aware that you are placing your 'star' image on t.v.s and movie screens. If you want privacy again, DON'T become a 'Star'!!

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TEDNov 7th 2010 8:48AM

Neutral

Everyone wants to be remembered.
Those in the spotlight want to be there.
Annoyances like paparzzi are really just tinsel to decorate the lives of those in need to be recognized as "different" from the rest of the population.

Forget privacy.

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JulieNov 7th 2010 9:03AM

Highly Ranked

This is insane! They better pass a law against this sort of invasion of privacy.

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Richard BusicNov 7th 2010 4:23PM

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There is no privacy in public places only on private property and then only if there is no view from public property. I do not think that laws recognize the air above private property is private so there may only be real privacy in ones own or the home of someone willing to extend his/her privacy to you.

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John F.C. TaylorNov 7th 2010 10:00AM

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Better a drone overhead than a swarm of camera toting idiots blocking streets and sidewalks. If they hover over a celebrity's private property, I think skeet shooting would progress to a whole new level for celebrities.

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darkone66669Nov 7th 2010 2:04PM

Neutral

Here is an Idea, just like you can bye the mineral rights to your property start selling airspace rights to the celebs. Anything that violates their airspace can be sued for criminal trespass. If enough people in high profile neighborhoods own their own airspace then there will be nowhere these drones clan fly without getting hit with multiple lawsuits. Of course there would have to be exemptions in some cases and a max altitude on the airspace but its a start.

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