The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has just made a massive intervention in the drone industry, blocking new foreign-made drones – including those from DJI – from entering the American market. By adding them to the Covered List, the agency is effectively classifying these devices as a national security threat. That’s a blow to DJI, which currently owns about 90 percent of the consumer market, as Washington increasingly fears that these drones could be used by Beijing to take a look at sensitive U.S. data.
Washington is expanding restrictions as concerns grow over the dominance of Chinese drones
The FCC’s new rule means new drone models from DJI or other designated foreign manufacturers cannot receive the agency’s seal of approval for import or sale in the United States. The Commission is not just concerned with data protection; They have warned of possible drone attacks and unauthorized surveillance. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr made it clear that while drones are great for innovation, they are being used as a weapon by “hostile foreign actors,” and the U.S. is no longer willing to take that risk.
However, there is a small glimmer of hope for the current owners. The ruling does not mean that the drones that are already flying will remain on the ground. If a drone or component was already approved before this ban, it can still be used and even sold. This is a huge relief for the police departments, farmers and construction crews who already have fleets of DJI drones in the air. Still, it is a clear sign that the US is trying to move away from Chinese air technology as quickly as possible.
The move was cheered by “China hawks” in Congress.
Representative Elise Stefanik and Senator Rick Scott quickly called this a victory for American security and argued that we must not allow sensitive mapping data from our infrastructure to be sent abroad. They see this as the first step toward establishing “US drone dominance” and moving away from dependence on foreign hardware.
Not surprisingly, China is not happy. A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington accused the US of using “national security” as a convenient excuse to mess with global trade. DJI also hit back, expressing deep disappointment and pointing out that the US had actually provided no public evidence that its drones had been compromised.
So where does this leave the industry? Even if your current drone isn’t going to fall out of the sky tomorrow, the path forward looks much more limited. This ruling creates a great opportunity – and great pressure – for American drone companies to finally take action and offer a real alternative. We are entering a time in which the drone market will be as shaped by international politics as it will be by new cameras or better battery life.
