A dispute has emerged in northern Greece over the use of a municipal drone deployed to monitor forest fires. The issue, already added to the agenda of Veria’s municipal council, will be formally debated on Wednesday.

The drone, stationed in the mountain village of Seli, is one of 83 devices monitoring forests across the country. From its base, it surveys Mount Vermio, the Veria plain, and part of the Pieria range. Authorities argue the drone plays a crucial role in spotting wildfire outbreaks early, especially during the high-risk summer months.

Residents’ objections

Despite its intended purpose, 39 local residents submitted a signed petition to the municipality demanding its removal. They argue that the drone violates their property rights, invades their privacy, and causes noise disturbances during quiet hours. Some also questioned the legality of the decision to install it in the first place.

Expert response

Former president of the Hellenic Data Protection Authority, Kostas Menoudakos, dismissed the privacy concerns. Speaking to Greek media, he explained that drones used for wildfire monitoring are not designed to focus on individuals.

“A drone that flies only to detect fire sources does not capture identifiable faces. It doesn’t zoom in on people, so there is no application of personal data legislation,” Menoudakos noted. He added that even if equipped with a thermal camera, the device would register only silhouettes rather than detailed images.