Short answer
Designers should be aware that the products they create, especially those with visual output capabilities, can be easily repurposed for propaganda and influence, requiring careful consideration of their broader societal impact.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- Media theory. (2025)
- Method
- Discourse analysis and comparative media analysis
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Commercially available drone technology, originally designed for civilian use, is being repurposed to create and disseminate propaganda and evidence of actions in conflict zones. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Media theory.. Using Discourse analysis and comparative media analysis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should be aware that the products they create, especially those with visual output capabilities, can be easily repurposed for propaganda and influence, requiring careful consideration of their broader societal impact.
Commercial Drones Transform War Imagery into Propaganda and 'Proof of Work'
Commercially available drone technology, originally designed for civilian use, is being repurposed to create and disseminate propaganda and evidence of actions in conflict zones.
Media theory. · 2025
Key Findings
- 01Commercial drones are used to create both operational imagery and representational propaganda.
- 02The re-aestheticization of operational drone footage on social media contributes to war propaganda.
- 03A new form of 'closer remoteness' is established through the use of commercial drones.
- 04Drone video streams are re-edited (montaged) to serve representational and persuasive functions.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers should be aware that the products they create, especially those with visual output capabilities, can be easily repurposed for propaganda and influence, requiring careful consideration of their broader societal impact.
How to apply
When designing products with visual capture or display capabilities, consider how the interface, output format, and intended use might be manipulated for propaganda or to create false impressions of evidence.
Project actions
- 01When analyzing existing products, consider their potential for unintended uses.
- 02Explore how the visual output of a product can be manipulated to convey specific messages.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Timely analysis of current technological trends.
- +Connects theoretical frameworks (Farocki) to contemporary issues.
Limitations
It can be difficult to definitively prove the intent behind every piece of drone footage.
Reliability & validity
Reliability could be improved by having multiple analysts categorize the imagery. Validity is challenged by the subjective nature of interpreting intent and propaganda.
Think critically
How does the 're-aestheticization' of operational imagery by commercial drones challenge traditional notions of objective evidence?
Design Principles
"The aesthetic and functional affordances of consumer technology can be readily adapted for persuasive and operational purposes, necessitating a critical approach to design ethics and potential misuse."
This shift highlights how readily accessible technology can blur the lines between operational tools and representational media. Designers and researchers must consider the dual-use potential of technologies and how their aesthetic and functional characteristics can be co-opted for unintended purposes, particularly in sensitive contexts.
What This Means for Your Design
Even everyday tech like commercial drones can be used to make propaganda videos that look real, changing how we see war.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to discuss the ethical considerations of your chosen product, especially if it has visual or communication capabilities.
- 2.Analyze how the aesthetics of your design might be interpreted or misused by others.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights how commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies, such as drones, can be repurposed beyond their intended functionality. The study by Hunger (2025) demonstrates that COTS drone footage, originally operational, can be re-aestheticized and disseminated as propaganda on social media platforms, blurring the lines between authentic operational evidence and persuasive messaging. This transformation underscores the critical need for designers to consider the ethical implications and potential dual-use nature of their creations, particularly in contexts where visual media can be weaponized for influence.
Source
Questions About This Research
- What does the research say about commercial drones transform war imagery into propaganda and 'proof of work'?
- Designers should be aware that the products they create, especially those with visual output capabilities, can be easily repurposed for propaganda and influence, requiring careful consideration of their broader societal impact. Evidence: Media theory. (2025).
- Why does "Commercial Drones Transform War Imagery into Propaganda and 'Proof of Work'" matter for design?
- This shift highlights how readily accessible technology can blur the lines between operational tools and representational media. Designers and researchers must consider the dual-use potential of technologies and how their aesthetic and functional characteristics can be co-opted for unintended purposes, particularly in sensitive contexts.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers should be aware that the products they create, especially those with visual output capabilities, can be easily repurposed for propaganda and influence, requiring careful consideration of their broader societal impact.
- What were the main findings?
- Commercial drones are used to create both operational imagery and representational propaganda.. The re-aestheticization of operational drone footage on social media contributes to war propaganda.. A new form of 'closer remoteness' is established through the use of commercial drones.. Drone video streams are re-edited (montaged) to serve representational and persuasive functions.
- What research method was used?
- Discourse analysis and comparative media analysis.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Media theory..
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing products with visual capture or display capabilities, consider how the interface, output format, and intended use might be manipulated for propaganda or to create false impressions of evidence.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focuses on a specific conflict and may not generalize to all uses of commercial drones.