Ethics in Surveillance UAVs Course
Online 300 h course in ethics for surveillance UAVs. 6 modules covering Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (UAS operations), Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 (UAS systems) and QGroundControl. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
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What you will be able to do
Describe surveillance UAVs and their sensors.
Analyse the rights affected by aerial surveillance.
Explain the European regulatory framework for UAS operations and data protection.
Apply international humanitarian law to military surveillance.
Assess the proportionality of a surveillance operation.
Design technical and organisational safeguards.
Prepare an ethical assessment of a surveillance UAV system.
Who it's for
- UAS operator wishing to specialise in Ethics in surveillance UAVs.
- Data protection officer wishing to specialise in Ethics in surveillance UAVs.
- Security policy analyst wishing to specialise in Ethics in surveillance UAVs.
- Technology ethics consultant wishing to specialise in Ethics in surveillance UAVs.
- Public safety officer wishing to specialise in Ethics in surveillance UAVs.
- Researcher in technology law wishing to specialise in Ethics in surveillance UAVs.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter public safety.
What you'll work with
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (UAS operations)
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 (UAS systems)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR)
- Organic Law 3/2018 on personal data protection
- European Convention on Human Rights, Art. 8
- STANAG 4609 (digital motion video)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1UAV classes according to NATO1.2Electro-optical and infrared payloads1.3SAR and GMTI radar on UAVs1.4Wide-area motion imagery (WAMI)1.5Endurance and flight autonomy1.6On-board AI processing1.7Military, police and civilian uses1.8From the Predator to commercial drones1.9Counter-UAS and detection1.10Workshop: footprint and camera resolution calculation
2.1Right to privacy and to one's own image2.2Persistent surveillance and chilling effect2.3Reasonable expectation of privacy2.4Surveillance of demonstrations2.5Facial recognition from the air2.6Recording uninvolved third parties2.7Communities subject to disproportionate surveillance2.8ECtHR case law on surveillance2.9US case law: Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle2.10Case study: Baltimore's aerial surveillance programme
3.1Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and state aircraft3.2Regulation (EU) 2019/947 on operations3.3Open, specific and certified categories3.4Royal Decree 517/2024 on UAS in Spain3.5Use by police and security forces3.6GDPR and Directive 2016/6803.7European AI Regulation3.8UAS geographical zones3.9Operator registration and remote ID3.10Practice: analysis of a police UAS operation
4.1Target recognition and distinction4.2Precautions in attack and information4.3Pattern-of-life surveillance4.4Biases in image interpretation4.5Documented identification errors4.6Analyst responsibility4.7Intelligence and protection of civilians4.8Use of UAVs in UN peacekeeping missions4.9Transparency and accountability4.10Case study: MONUSCO UAV in the Congo
5.1Data protection impact assessment5.2Image retention policies5.3Automatic masking of persons5.4Independent oversight5.5Flight logging and audit5.6Communication with citizens5.7Ethics training for operators5.8Export of surveillance systems5.9Indicators of proportionate use5.10Workshop: use policy for a police force
6.1Selection of the system and context6.2Technical description of capabilities6.3Map of affected rights6.4Regulatory analysis6.5Necessity and proportionality assessment6.6Design of technical safeguards6.7Oversight model6.8Final ethical opinion6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, making it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulation and applied exercises. The working software is QGroundControl, ArduPilot Mission Planner, QGIS, ARX Data Anonymization Tool, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Case work is based on real data protection impact assessment procedures for drone operations, aerial surveillance case studies and proportionality analysis. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe surveillance UAVs and their sensors.
Analyse the rights affected by aerial surveillance.
Explain the European regulatory framework for UAS operations and data protection.
Apply international humanitarian law to military surveillance.
Assess the proportionality of a surveillance operation.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to read technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme comprises 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours a week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with QGroundControl, ArduPilot Mission Planner, QGIS and ARX Data Anonymization Tool. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An SEIUM Institute diploma on passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a Course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are recognised towards the higher-level programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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