Google's Eric Schmidt calls for civilian drone regulation

Google head Eric Schmidt has called for regulation of civilian drone technology, warning about privacy and security concerns.

Google head Eric Schmidt has called for regulation of civilian drone technology, warning about privacy and security concerns.

He told the Guardian that the cheap miniature versions of the unmanned aircraft used by militaries could fall into wrong hands.

According to the BBC, he suggested that fighting neighbours could end up using private surveillance drones against each other.

He also warned of the risk of terrorists using the new technology.

Warning of mini-drones' potential as a terrorist weapon, he said that he would prefer to not spread and democratise the ability to fight war to every single human being.

He added that the drones should be regulated as it is for governments, who have some legitimacy in what they're doing, and not the people.

Small drones, such as flying cameras, are already available worldwide, and non-military surveillance were recently introduced to track poachers in the remote Indian state of Assam, the report added.