......But human nature being what it is, it is a very slippery slope to permit spying on citizens without some restraint or controls in place...
Currently there are some very, very robust protections. There are some fascinating case law opinions regarding the use of drones by law enforcement/governmental entities and balancing same with the rights afforded by the Fourth Amendment. You can easily find a sampling on google scholar. Interesting reads.
Drones aren't going away. And they are becoming increasingly sophisticated on an almost daily basis. Historically, a robust surveillance and enforcement apparatus is an inherent and necessary part of an authoritarian government, which usually starts as what Churchill politely referred to as a "humane gestapo" that morphs as power is solidified. The transformation, however, has been attempted in a country with a robust Bill of Rights.
But what does this have to do with Cub flying, you say?
In the late 1940s the "freedom" to fly became a subset of an administrative arm created by Congress and fully delegated with authority to regulate aviation. And regulate it does. So far the balance has been reasonable and one's ability to wander relatively freely around the countryside in an your Cub, choosing your destination and directions without any significant interference via regulations and fees.
Historically, the Court's have required a rational basis for any regulations promulgated by an agency. At the end of the day the Court's are the arbiter of a regulation and whether or not it passes muster and whether or not, if it is a valid regulation, its application has been done fairly, absent any arbitrary and capricious application, with fundamental fairness and process applied along the application and enforcement route. One of my business partners defines "arbitrary and capricious" as the implementation and application of law based on "beliefs and feelings". I call it the usual rubbish and nonsense.
So, what's the point and how does it relate to flying.
Simple. There is a rapidly growing idea that those who have discretionary resources to afford flying--from your simple Cub up to being carted about on a G6.5--are "privileged" and that privilege has been attained solely at the detriment of others not so fortunate. This belief is right in line with emerging definitions of "social justice" and the "re-distributions and reparations" deemed necessary to set things right and achieve "restorative equality" for the "better of all". It's an interesting idea and there are unique roadblocks to same. But roadblocks can be removed and may be difficult to put back in place.
So, watch out for the Drones. Literally--and Figuratively.