Podcast Summary: Click Here – "Mic Drop: Predator Mode"

Episode Information:

• Title: Mic Drop: Predator Mode
• Host: Dina Temple-Weston, Recorded Future News
• Release Date: June 27, 2025

1. Introduction

In the episode titled "Mic Drop: Predator Mode," Dina Temple-Weston delves into the expanding role of drones in the United States, exploring the implications of their increasing presence in civilian spaces. The discussion centers around the deployment of military-grade Predator drones during protests and the broader consequences for surveillance and civil liberties.

2. Predator Drones Over Protests

The episode opens with a vivid description of Predator drones circling above Los Angeles during protests against President Trump's deportation policies. These drones, specifically the MQ-9 Reaper models, are portrayed not as typical consumer drones but as formidable military machines previously used in conflict zones like Iraq and Afghanistan.

Dina Temple-Weston [00:51]: "It's a Predator, a military grade MQ9 Reaper, the kind that's been used in Iraq and Afghanistan for surveillance and for strikes."

3. Fane Greenwood's Background

Fane Greenwood, a drone researcher, shares her journey from a curious observer at Stanford University to an active member of the Stanford Drone Club. Her early experiences with hobbyist drones ignited her passion for understanding drone technology and its applications.

Fane Greenwood [03:47]: "I remember vividly I saw one flying over the Stanford campus one day and I was like, what the heck is that curious?"

4. The Shift from Positive to Negative Uses

Initially, drones like the Predator were employed for beneficial purposes such as environmental monitoring and disaster response. However, Greenwood highlights a significant shift towards militarization and surveillance, particularly in domestic settings.

Fane Greenwood [04:26]: "Using Predator drones for stuff like environmental monitoring of fires. So I think the first Predator drones were deployed domestically for response to things like California wildfires."

5. Surveillance and Intimidation

The summer of 2020 marked a turning point when Predator drones began surveilling George Floyd protests. The presence of these drones was not merely observational but served as a tool for intimidation and information gathering, raising alarms about the erosion of First Amendment rights.

Fane Greenwood [05:17]: "This is a really disturbing escalation of using military grade technology against protesters exercising their First Amendment rights."

6. Small Drones: The Real Threat

While Predator drones garner significant attention, Greenwood emphasizes that smaller, more ubiquitous drones pose a greater and more insidious threat. These drones are being widely adopted by police departments across the country, leading to pervasive surveillance in everyday settings.

Fane Greenwood [08:14]: "This Predator drone deployment was limited and disturbing, but what we're seeing all over the country in way greater quantities is these small drones."

7. Data Collection and Privacy Concerns

The deployment of drones, especially in residential and private areas, leads to extensive data collection. Greenwood points out the lack of transparency regarding data usage, storage, and access, highlighting risks of persistent surveillance and potential misuse of information.

Fane Greenwood [11:03]: "According to the ACLU, the drones have been deployed more than 700 times and have captured at least 5,600 images."

8. Comparisons to Authoritarian Regimes

Greenwood draws parallels between the use of drones in the U.S. and their deployment in authoritarian countries like Iran and China. She argues that the objectives—surveillance and intimidation—are strikingly similar, questioning the U.S.'s stance on civil liberties.

Fane Greenwood [12:24]: "I think the way that the US police have been using drones is not meaningfully different from the way police are using drones in other countries and other authoritarian countries."

9. Call for Regulations and Oversight

Addressing the growing concerns, Greenwood advocates for strict regulations on drone usage. She calls for limitations on deploying drones over protests, clear rules on data management, public transparency, and robust local oversight to prevent abuse and protect citizen privacy.

Fane Greenwood [12:56]: "I would certainly like to see a very, very hard rules against not using drones over protests unless there are very, very specific exceptions."

10. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode concludes, Greenwood emphasizes the critical juncture at which society stands regarding drone surveillance. She urges the public to remain vigilant and proactive in advocating for regulations to prevent the misuse of drone technology, ensuring that advancements do not come at the expense of fundamental freedoms.

Fane Greenwood [14:05]: "I think we're absolutely at a crisis point in terms of both drones becoming pervasive... it's a really important time. People again, stand up and fight back."

Notable Quotes:

• Dina Temple-Weston [00:51]: "It's a Predator, a military grade MQ9 Reaper, the kind that's been used in Iraq and Afghanistan for surveillance and for strikes."

• Fane Greenwood [05:17]: "This is a really disturbing escalation of using military grade technology against protesters exercising their First Amendment rights."

• Fane Greenwood [12:24]: "I think the way that the US police have been using drones is not meaningfully different from the way police are using drones in other countries and other authoritarian countries."

• Fane Greenwood [14:05]: "I think we're absolutely at a crisis point in terms of both drones becoming pervasive... it's a really important time. People again, stand up and fight back."

Final Remarks

"Mic Drop: Predator Mode" offers a compelling examination of the dual-edged nature of drone technology. While acknowledging the potential benefits, the episode underscores the urgent need for comprehensive oversight to safeguard civil liberties against the encroaching tide of surveillance.