Camera-equipped hobby drones could fly below privacy radar: watchdog

OTTAWA – The federal privacy commissioner says tiny, camera-equipped drones — some as small as birds or insects — could evade Canadian privacy law as people begin using the increasingly affordable aircraft to spy on others.

A new study by the commissioner’s office says model aircraft flown by hobbyists may be left entirely unregulated as the federal government focuses on drones flown for commercial or police purposes.

In Canada, unmanned aerial vehicles are regulated by Transport Canada as aircraft under the Canadian Aviation Regulations.

But drones that weigh 35 kilograms or less do not require a special flight certificate when flown for recreational purposes.

The study says the exception poses concerns given that companies are beginning to sell small, inexpensive drones than can stream live video to smartphones.

The privacy commissioner’s office worries the recreational drones could fuel the growing trend of people using technology to conduct surveillance on fellow citizens.