Concerns Over Lack of Oversight for Expanding SFPD Drone Surveillance

• The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) has rapidly expanded its drone program, leading to concerns about insufficient privacy protections and inadequate public oversight.
• Civil rights groups, including the EFF, argue that current policy proposals are too vague and could facilitate widespread, non-targeted surveillance.

Growth and Evasion of Oversight

• Following the passage of Proposition E in March 2024, drones were removed from the oversight requirements of the city’s Surveillance Technology Ordinance.
• The SFPD previously bypassed California state law AB 481 by purchasing drones before securing required approval from the Board of Supervisors.
• The scope of drone use has suffered from mission creep, evolving from specific criminal investigations to general patrols.
• Deployment frequency has spiked from approximately 350 flights in 2024 to over 3,500 flights in just the first five months of 2026.

Policy Debates and Next Steps

• The Police Commission deferred action on a proposed policy after a coalition led by the Public Defender’s Office—supported by over 40 organizations, including the EFF—argued that the guidance lacked clear definitions for "public safety response."
• Critics warn that without strict safeguards, drones could be deployed to all service calls, resulting in the collection and 30-day storage of data from non-incidents.
• The Police Commission is scheduled to revisit the revised policy proposal on October 14.