EFF Urges SFPD to Tighten Drone Use Policies Amid Rising Surveillance
EFF highlights San Francisco Police's increasing drone flights lack clear privacy policies.
Why it matters: As police drone deployments grow, legal and civil rights experts must address privacy and transparency risks embedded in surveillance technologies.
- SFPD began drone deployments in May 2024 after Proposition E's March 2024 passage.
- From May 2024 to August 31, 2025, SFPD conducted 1,371 drone flights mainly targeting theft and robbery suspects.
- EFF criticized SFPD in September 2026 for inadequate drone policies risking civil liberties.
- San Francisco Police Commission postponed voting on drone rules amid privacy and data-sharing concerns.
The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) initiated its drone program in May 2024 following Proposition E's approval in March 2024, which authorized drone use for law enforcement.
Between May 2024 and August 31, 2025, SFPD conducted 1,371 drone flights primarily to track suspects involved in car thefts, robberies, and burglaries, reflecting broad operational reliance on drones as surveillance tools.
Despite this rapid expansion, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) publicly challenged the SFPD in September 2026, stating the department's proposed drone policy is "grossly inadequate in protecting civil liberties and privacy rights." The EFF emphasized need for more robust safeguards given drones' surveillance power. Their full commentary is available on EFF's website.
Responding to these concerns, the San Francisco Police Commission delayed voting on the new rules regulating drone use on September 2, 2026. This postponement came amid public pressure and advocacy group objections centered on insufficient privacy and data-sharing protections, detailed in local news coverage.
SFPD's current proposed policy prohibits using drones for non-law enforcement purposes, forbids infringing on First Amendment rights, and bans arming drones with weapons, per their official policy document. However, critics argue these measures still fall short of ensuring transparent oversight and robust privacy protection.
By the numbers:
- 1,371 — drone flights conducted by SFPD from May 2024 to August 2025
- March 2024 — Proposition E enabling SFPD drone deployments passed
- September 2, 2026 — San Francisco Police Commission postponed voting on drone rules
Yes, but: While SFPD's policy bans armed drones and restricts non-law enforcement use, the lack of clear privacy safeguards remains a central civil liberties concern.
What's next: San Francisco Police Commission to revisit and potentially vote on drone usage rules after addressing privacy and public concerns.