Eavesdropping--Violation of privacy--Misdemeanor

SDCL § 50-15-5 — under DRONES.

SDCL § 50-15-5

No person may, except as authorized by law, intentionally use a drone to photograph, record, or otherwise observe another person in a private place where the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. A person who violates this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This section does not apply to: (1) Law enforcement officers, or to those acting under the direction of a law enforcement officer, while engaged in the performance of the officer's lawful duties; (2) A drone operator operating a drone for bona fide business or bona fide government purposes who unintentionally or incidentally photographs, records, or otherwise observes another person in a private place; or (3) A designated emergency management worker operating a drone within the scope of the worker's duties. Source: SL 2021, ch 95 , § 2.