They are technically legal but really shouldn't be. They have been used historically as a rent-for-hire police force and we have enough problems with real police forces that have much more oversight. The solution to poor regulations isnt less regulations, it is better regulations.

But as long as they don’t cause a nuisance and stay on public property, they’re no more invasive than paparazzi’s after all.

Not to be too snarky but if I a middle aged man who looks like a construction worker was following a woman in your life around taking pictures of her how would you feel? And yes feelings matter. Consent is fucking important and I am tired of people dismissing it. Just because I have the ability to lawfully do something doesn't mean that I should or that it should be acceptable that I do.

People should have a right to be left alone and not be stalked. And if that means the occasional worker gets a slightly bigger settlement then they should so be it.

Oh and fyi I have been on the receiving end of this. Right when I graduated I took a job with a corporation that had a weapons division (I didn't even work in that department) and under a week after I started my neighbors told me that someone started asking about me. Plus I had a car follow me around. Mentioned it at work to my new boss and he said the same thing happened to him when he started.