Shoplifters Could Soon Be Chased Down by Drones
Posted3 months agoActive3 months ago
technologyreview.comTechstory
controversialmixed
Debate
80/100
SurveillanceDronesRetail Security
Key topics
Surveillance
Drones
Retail Security
The use of drones to chase shoplifters raises concerns about privacy and the potential for misuse, sparking debate among commenters about the balance between security and individual rights.
Snapshot generated from the HN discussion
Discussion Activity
Moderate engagementFirst comment
2h
Peak period
6
4-6h
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3.6
Comment distribution18 data points
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Key moments
- 01Story posted
Sep 26, 2025 at 8:08 AM EDT
3 months ago
Step 01 - 02First comment
Sep 26, 2025 at 9:56 AM EDT
2h after posting
Step 02 - 03Peak activity
6 comments in 4-6h
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Step 03 - 04Latest activity
Sep 27, 2025 at 7:10 AM EDT
3 months ago
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Analyzing up to 500 comments to identify key contributors and discussion patterns
ID: 45385545Type: storyLast synced: 11/20/2025, 3:38:03 PM
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[1] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEby9OkePpg [video][3:33 mins][warning: contains Tom Cruise]
I bet if you shoot their drone it's "attempted murder of an officer" or whatever just like it is for the dogs.
https://dronelife.com/2025/04/01/pepper-spray-drones-in-scho...
If it's acceptable for a business to use drones to tail a (suspected) shoplifter, what stops a business from using them to tail a regular customer to collect marketing data?
What if I am curious where someone I work with lives, is it OK to use a drone to follow them home?
I would argue that it's obviously not OK but it seems like there is no law against this in the US unless you have a restraining order, perhaps.
I wonder if anyone's considered starting a business of leasing space on urban roofs and building facades, installing cameras, and then selling the footage of all the foot traffic. Sounds a lot easier than drones.
The only reason these things could be economical in the short term is because theft costs retail companies an insanely high amount of money.
However, this might change if these drones become cheaper to operate and purchase.
I would think there's some crime that would prevent people from using these to the extremes. I am almost certain it's illegal to put an air tag on someone to track their whereabouts and I would also think those laws would apply here.
I have never shoplifted, but yet, here we are. While it's a mild annoyance to be stopped and asked if I need any help by two retail employees alongside a uniformed LPP (I refuse to call them officers) or asked to produce a receipt--even if we're just browsing to kill time and I didn't buy anything, now I may be pursued by a fucking drone because some algorithm or human operator has decided I'm somehow doing something they don't like?
I am genuinely terrified.
And, it seems relatively easy to travel out of range longer and/or faster than it can fly or go somewhere flying drones can't follow like into a closed structure or underground area.
Seems like a gimmick to sell to corporate customers.