A survey of police forces on their use of drones has raised concerns about the resilience of software, data security and scrutiny of processes, according to the biometrics and surveillance camera commissioner.
A recent survey conducted on police drone usage in the UK has raised concerns about the resilience of software, data security, and scrutiny of processes. The survey was conducted by Professor Fraser Sampson, the biometrics and surveillance camera commissioner, and received responses from 36 out of 47 police forces in the UK. Findings from the survey highlight that 62% of police forces rely on standalone devices to control their drones, and the primary data protection protocol involves using SD cards for footage extraction, with only 18% employing encryption or secure downloading behind a firewall. Furthermore, there is limited adherence to the Home Office Surveillance Camera Code of Practice, with just three police forces mentioning compliance and two not considering any relevant protocols.
Concerns also arise regarding security risks during drone software updates, as 54% of respondents reported conducting updates via standalone laptops or independent Wi-Fi connections, while 35% did not provide details on keeping their systems up-to-date. These findings indicate a lack of awareness about data security risks associated with drones and inconsistencies in ethical scrutiny of their use within law enforcement agencies. Professor Fraser Sampson has responded with four key recommendations, including guidance on technology procurement, mitigating drone-specific security risks, seeking unified approaches for accountability, and considering standardised procedures for assessing drone sensitivity. He stresses the importance of consistent, ethical oversight and good practices as police drone usage is expected to rise in the future.