MrSid, I have no idea where you are from but I suspect the laws are different here.
That's besides the point, however.
The agreements on what constitutes legitimate "Reconnaissance" and "Intelligence Gathering" are different than Civil Law in a particular nation.
If (in your country) you form a great rock band and you work on your new songs in your back yard, playing very, very loud is it illegal for your neighbor to turn on a tape recorder and record your song? He then listens to it in his own home, for his own purposes, is this illegal?
That's the sort of thing a recon platform is designed to pick up. If someone is broadcasting a signal, it can be picked up a long ways away. Like, far away, in International airspace.
The one thing you need to remember is that ALL the "powers" engage in Intelligence Gathering. They all do it thus they all pretty much have to allow it.
Example: Nation X routinely flies 20 miles off the coast of Nations Y & Z with unarmed recon planes. Nation X feels this is a vital and legitimate part of their national security.
However, Nation X immediately engages and shoots down all Nation Y & Z aircraft that fly within 20 miles of their coastline.
See how long this would last? See what the end result of such a policy is?
Recon has been going on a long time without many problems. The "new boys" in the game screwed up and don't want to admit it. But they DID screw up. It is the inteceptor's responsiblity to maintain separation. Period. Done deal.
I don't know if these analogies help. But a recon platform is simply a passive receiver. You don't want to be heard and recorded? Don't emit.
The Russians were pretty good at shutting down when we got close btw.