Consumer drones are gaining more and more momentum, as time goes on. They are going to play an increasingly significant role in our lives, and this is not a reality we can avoid. On one hand, there are naturally some benefits to consumer drones. They will provide efficiency and speed in a fashion that we have never truly experienced. There is no question that consumer drones offer an intriguing measure of good for the world.
At the same time, we cannot ignore the dangers of consumer drones. There are a number of potential downsides that must be considered.
To be sure, drones will prove to be the best bet for safely transporting fragile/dangerous materials. The flipside of that is the notion of privacy. There are some profound concerns about privacy and consumer drones that must be addressed. Already a species that is perpetually (and reasonably so) paranoid about any potential invasion to our privacy, some people are already reacting strongly to consumer drones infringing on what they perceive to be their personal boundaries. You don’t have to travel very far to find news stories of people attacking drone owners, when they discovered they were being recorded by the devices.
Furthermore, the implications of consumer drones on certain levels can get downright creepy. For example, consider the notion that with a drone, you can essentially follow anyone you like. As drone batteries get stronger and stronger, you can expect people to have the ability to track people for long periods of time. You will be able to take pictures of people from their windows. You will be able to take pictures or record video of people in their homes or apartments. It is difficult to imagine that no one would ever want to use consumer drones for less than honest purposes.
There are security concerns that should be kept in mind, as well. Beyond the fact that drones can be used for dropping things, you have to also consider the likelihood of drones falling from the sky. Not only do we have physical safety issues, but we have to consider functionality issues, as well. If a drone were to drop something that is perhaps dangerous, the consequences could bring about catastrophic global consequences. It isn’t the most likely scenario, but it is one that is worth taking very seriously nonetheless.
