CA AB 856 (2015 drone trespass)
California AB 856 — Drone Paparazzi / Aerial Trespass
California · Cal. Civ. Code § 1708.8(b)
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- January 1, 2016
- Applies to
- Anyone operating a drone in California for image-capture purposes
- Enforced by
- Private civil enforcement (tort claims)
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.
Who is protected: California residents engaged in personal or familial activities on private property
Legal 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.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | California |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | October 6, 2015 |
| Citation | Cal. Civ. Code § 1708.8(b) |
| 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 |
| Bill text | California Legislative Information: AB 856 (2015–2016) |
More AI rules in California
- CA EO N-6-26 (AI Workforce) · In effect
- California AB 489 (AI healthcare chatbot misrepresentation ban) · In effect
- X.AI v. Bonta (AB 2013 training-data disclosure) · Blocked / in litigation
- CA SB 1168 — data center grid cost allocation · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- California SB 1119 Adam's Law, companion chatbots (2026) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- California SB 867 AI chatbot toy moratorium (2026) · Enacted (not yet 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 location… · Blocked / in litigation
- House Bill 2512 — Banning surveillance pricing by rideshare companies · 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
See something wrong or out of date? Submit a correction. Every entry must carry a verifiable source.