Drone Privacy Notice

1. Purpose of this notice

This Drone Privacy Notice explains how East Coast Drone Media approaches privacy when operating camera-equipped drones for photography, video and site inspection work.

It should be read together with our Privacy Policy.

2. What a drone camera may capture

Depending on the job, aerial imagery may include buildings, gardens, land, roads, vehicles, signs, neighbouring property and people who happen to be present in the area. Some people may be identifiable from photographs or video.

We plan flights to minimise unnecessary capture of people and private areas and we avoid deliberately filming inside homes or other places where people reasonably expect privacy.

3. Privacy and data protection

Where drone imagery contains information that identifies or can reasonably identify a person, it may constitute personal data. We handle such material in accordance with applicable UK data protection law and the principles of necessity, fairness, transparency, security and data minimisation.

We also follow applicable CAA drone and aviation requirements. The CAA states that operators must respect people's privacy and that filming in places where people can expect privacy, such as inside a home or garden, may breach data protection law.

4. Before a flight

For customer-requested filming, we ask the customer to confirm that they have permission for the requested property or site filming. We may also ask for information about access, nearby people, neighbouring property, hazards and any other factor that could affect safe and lawful operation.

5. During a flight

• We use reasonable measures to avoid unnecessary capture of people or private areas.
• We do not deliberately target individuals unless that is part of the agreed and lawful service.
• If privacy, safety or legal concerns arise, we may change the flight plan, stop recording or cancel the operation.
• We may need to retain flight-related information or imagery for safety, insurance, legal or operational reasons.

6. If you are accidentally captured

If you believe you or your property has been captured and you have a privacy concern, please contact us through the website enquiry form. Include enough information to help us identify the relevant flight or imagery without sending unnecessary personal information.

We will assess the request under applicable data protection law. Depending on the circumstances, we may be able to delete, obscure or otherwise restrict use of material, although legal, safety, insurance or evidential requirements may mean that some information must be retained.

7. Customer-requested imagery

The customer is responsible for ensuring that the requested filming is appropriate and that they have the necessary permission to request filming at the property or site. We remain responsible for deciding whether the actual flight can be conducted safely and lawfully.

8. Retention and disclosure

Drone imagery is normally retained only for as long as reasonably necessary to complete the service, deal with enquiries, resolve complaints and meet legal or insurance requirements. We do not sell drone imagery or personal information.

We may disclose material where required by law, to insurers or professional advisers where reasonably necessary, or to authorities where there is a lawful requirement.

9. Complaints about drone privacy

If you believe a flight or image has raised a privacy concern, please contact us first through the website enquiry form. You may also contact the relevant UK regulator where appropriate, including the Information Commissioner’s Office for data protection matters or the Civil Aviation Authority for aviation-related concerns.