Sen. Chuck Grassley: action may be needed to reconcile privacy and legitimate domestic drone useMadison Ruppert This comes as the Florida Senate voted unanimous to restrict drone use, one small Minnesota city banned drones, Virginia considers a drone moratorium and a California city considers an anti-drone ordinance. Similarly, Charlottesville, Virginia has already banned drones, the mayor of Seattle, Washington shot down their police departments drone program and legislators across the country consider anti-drone laws. Grassley, who is currently Iowas senior senator, has been quite critical of drone use in the United States in the past, saying that the governments use of drones for domestic surveillance runs contrary to the nation of what it means to live in a free society. He apparently has not changed his position and has continued to question the disturbing rise of domestic drone use. The prospect of drone use inside the United States raises far-reaching issues concerning the extent of government surveillance authority and privacy in the digital age, the report from Grassleys office stated. However, according to Adam B. Sullivan of the Press-Citizen, Grassley has made clear he doesnt oppose the use of drones outright, saying he supports the technology for certain military and police operations. Yet still, Grassley said, Theres legitimate concern about insufficient safeguards in place to make sure drones arent used to spy on American citizens, perhaps unfairly enforce criminal law, and unduly infringe on individual privacy. Congressional action may be needed to reconcile privacy and legitimate domestic drone use, he added. As this technology develops, the sky is the limit on how drones could be used in our society, so its important that Congress be vigilant in addressing the balance of legitimate drone use and drone use that unduly interferes with private lives, Grassley said. In the past, Grassley has pointed out that when he asked the Attorney General last June if the Justice Department was using or planned on using drones for law enforcement purposes, he never received an answer. He didnt receive an answer even after another appearance before us earlier this month, Grassley said in March. It is very important that the American people know whether or how the Justice Department is using drones, Grassley said. And failing to provide answers about the use of this technology is concerning. It may well be a necessary subject for future legislation. As of now, there is little to no oversight at the federal level, even when it comes to the governments claimed authority to kill Americans with drone strikes abroad without charge or trial. Hopefully individuals like Grassley will be able to push for at least some degree of increased scrutiny of domestic drone use as well as drone use abroad. Did I forget anything or miss any errors? Would you like to make me aware of a story or subject to cover? Or perhaps you want to bring your writing to a wider audience? Feel free to contact me at admin@EndtheLie.com with your concerns, tips, questions, original writings, insults or just about anything that may strike your fancy. Please support our work and help us start to pay contributors by doing your shopping through our Amazon link or check out some must-have products at our store. This article first appeared at End the Lie. Madison Ruppert is the Editor and Owner-Operator of the alternative news and analysis databaseEnd The Lie and has no affiliation with any NGO, political party, economic school, or other organization/cause. He is available for podcast and radio interviews. Madison also now has his own radio show on UCYTV Monday nights 7 PM 9 PM PT/10 PM 12 AM ET. Show page link here: http://UCY.TV/EndtheLie. If you have questions, comments, or corrections feel free to contact him at admin@EndtheLie.com linkwithin_text=Related Articles: 