The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a lawsuit against Sonoma County, California, over a covert drone surveillance program that it alleges violates residents’ privacy rights. The program, which started six years ago to monitor illegal cannabis cultivation, has since expanded to include widespread code violation monitoring, resulting in millions in fines. According to the lawsuit, officials have used drones to spy on private homes without warrants, capturing images of private areas such as hot tubs and outdoor baths as well as through curtainless windows.
One plaintiff revealed that authorities secretly used the drone program to photograph her horse stable and issue code violations. She only discovered the program after a county employee mentioned the images, prompting her to file a public records request. The lawsuit claims the county has hidden these unlawful searches from the people they have spied on, the community, and the media. Matt Cagle, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU Foundation of Northern California, stated in a news release that the county’s practices represent a ‘runaway spying operation’ that undermines constitutional protections.
The case highlights growing concerns over the use of surveillance technology by local governments and its impact on privacy rights. As the lawsuit progresses, it may serve as a benchmark for similar legal challenges in other jurisdictions. Critics argue that the expansion of drone use for non-urgent law enforcement purposes represents a troubling trend, while supporters emphasize the benefits of increased public safety and regulatory compliance.