California AB 856 — Drone Paparazzi / Aerial Trespass
California · Cal. Civ. Code § 1708.8(b)
California amended its anti-paparazzi statute so the existing 'physical invasion of privacy' tort applies when someone uses a drone to enter the airspace above a person's land to capture images or recordings of personal or familial activities — closing the 'I never set foot on the property' loophole.
Technical detail
Cal. Civ. Code § 1708.8(b) amended by AB 856 (Stats. 2015, ch. 521) to include knowingly entering 'into the airspace above the land of another person without permission' to capture imagery.
Who is protected: California residents engaged in personal or familial activities on private property
Who must comply: Anyone operating a drone in California for image-capture purposes
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | California |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Limited protection |
| Effective date | 2016-01-01 |
| Enacted | 2015-10-06 |
| Citation | Cal. Civ. Code § 1708.8(b) |
| Enforced by | Private civil enforcement (tort claims) |
| Private right of action | Yes — individuals can sue |
| Penalties | Statutory damages up to three times actual damages; punitive damages; disgorgement of profits |
| Topics | consumer data privacy · consumer protection |
| Last verified | 2026-06-17 |
| Official source | California Legislative Information: AB 856 (2015–2016) ↗ |
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- X.AI v. Bonta (AB 2013 training-data disclosure) · Blocked / in litigation
- CA SB 1298 (2012 AV authorization) · In effect
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- California AB 302 (state must inventory its high-risk automated decision systems) · In effect
Related consumer data privacy rules elsewhere
- Vermont Data Broker Law (H.211) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Chatrie v. United States (Fourth Amendment protection for lo · Blocked / in litigation
- House Bill 2512 — Banning surveillance pricing by rideshare · Proposed / pending
- Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act) (H.R. 7757) · Proposed / pending
- Maine LD 61 (employer surveillance disclosure & prohibition) · In effect
- Washington SHB 1672 (employee monitoring notice, ADS restrictions, emotion AI ban) · In effect
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