Three residents of Sonoma County have filed a lawsuit against the county, claiming that officials are using drones to invade their privacy. The lawsuit, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of the residents, alleges that the county began using drones with high-powered cameras in 2019 to monitor illegal cannabis cultivation. However, since then, the drones have been deployed over 700 times for various code enforcement violations without obtaining warrants.
One of the plaintiffs, who received a notice of code violations shortly after a drone flew over her property, expressed her concern about the lack of transparency in how the county conducts these aerial inspections. Matt Cagle, a senior attorney with the ACLU, criticized the county’s actions, stating that they have been using drones to conduct warrantless searches, which he argues is a violation of residents’ rights.
The county’s spokesperson stated that they are taking the allegations seriously and are currently reviewing the complaint. The lawsuit comes amid a growing national conversation about the use of drones by government agencies, particularly regarding privacy concerns. In 2024, nearly half of the drone flights conducted in Sonoma County were related to non-cannabis violations, such as construction without permits and zoning issues.
Legal experts are weighing in on the situation, noting that California does not currently have laws regulating drone usage by code enforcement. This has raised questions about what constitutes private property and the extent of residents’ rights to privacy from aerial surveillance. The ACLU argues that the county’s drone policy has become more relaxed, allowing for "discretionary proactive investigations" without prior complaints.
Residents involved in the lawsuit have reported feeling a loss of privacy and enjoyment of their homes. One plaintiff, Benjamin Verdusco, decided to sell his house after discovering that drones had been photographing his backyard. Another plaintiff, Nichola Schmitz, who is deaf, became anxious after a drone flew over her property, fearing it had captured her in compromising situations.
The case highlights the growing tension between technological advancements in surveillance and the right to privacy, raising important questions about how society balances these interests in an age where drones are becoming increasingly common.