On May 24, 2016, we published an article discussing the National Telecommunications and Information Administration ("NTIA") issuance of Best Practices for privacy and other issues surrounding drone use. Attached as an Appendix to those Best Practices is a list of guidelines for neighborly drone use intended to be a quick and easy reference guide for recreational drone operators. It goes without saying that for recreational users it is worth reviewing, and is reproduced in its entirety below:

Drones are useful. New, fairly cheap drones are easy to use. But just because they are cheap and simple to fly doesn't mean the pictures and video they take can't harm other people. The FAA and partner organizations have put safety guidance online at http://knowbeforeyoufly.org. But even safe flight might not respect other people's privacy. These are voluntary guidelines. No one is forcing you to obey them. Privacy is hard to define, but it is important. There is a balance between your rights as a drone user and other people's rights to privacy. That balance isn't easy to find. You should follow the detailed "UAS Privacy Best Practices", on which these guidelines are based, especially if you fly drones often, or use them commercially. The overarching principle should be peaceful issue resolution.
  1. If you can, tell other people you'll be taking pictures or video of them before you do.
  2. If you think someone has a reasonable expectation of privacy, don't violate that privacy by taking pictures, video, or otherwise gathering sensitive data, unless you've got a very good reason.
  3. Don't fly over other people's private property without permission if you can easily avoid doing so.
  4. Don't gather personal data for no reason, and don't keep it for longer than you think you have to.
  5. If you keep sensitive data about other people, secure it against loss or theft.
  6. If someone asks you to delete personal data about him or her that you've gathered, do so, unless you've got a good reason not to.
  7. If anyone raises privacy, security, or safety concerns with you, try and listen to what they have to say, as long as they're polite and reasonable about it.
  8. Don't harass people with your drone.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.