TEMPO.CO, Washington - The United States have been using drones/unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to monitor its citizens in a limited scale. Such was FBI’s testimony in a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Wednesday, June 19.


The confession was asserted by Robert Mueller, Head of FBI, as a response to a number of inquires from the Senate, that wish to know more about the use of drones under Obama’s leadership.


"Does the FBI use drones for surveillance on US soil?" Republican Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa asked during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. "Yes," Mueller said. He then assured that the use was in "a very, very minimal way and very seldom".


Mueller did not provide detailed information, but the FBI has lately released a statement claiming that they only utilize drones to monitor inanimate objects (such as buildings) and to prevent serious risks to law-enforcement officials.


Every single dispatch of drones over the national soil, said the FBI, has received prior approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. "I will tell you that our footprint is very small," said Mueller. "We have very few (drones) and of limited use, and we're exploring not only the use but also the necessary guidelines for that use."

AL JAZEERA | CHOIRUL