The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned the import of new unmanned aerial vehicles manufactured outside the country - the only exceptions are models recommended by the Department of Defense or the Department of Homeland Security.
The measure is mainly aimed at the world's largest drone manufacturer - Chinese company DJI.
The industry has already reacted to the agency's decision.
“While DJI was not specifically cited, no details have been released about what data the executive branch used in making this decision“, The Verge quoted DJI spokesman Adam Welsh.
The company “remains committed to the US market”, he added, noting that drones already sold will be able to continue operating as before. In 2021, the FCC added Huawei and ZTE equipment to the same list, and in 2024, Russia's Kaspersky Lab antivirus software was added to the list.
On December 21, the agency received a national security opinion from an interagency body stating that foreign-made drones and their critical components have the potential to "conduct persistent surveillance, data breaches, and disruptive operations in the United States," and that U.S. cybersecurity and critical infrastructure guidance has repeatedly emphasized that foreign-made drones can be used to collect sensitive data, provide unauthorized access to U.S. data, and provide unauthorized access to drones.
Current owners of foreign-made drones will be able to continue using them. Certain models and components can be removed from the list of prohibited equipment if the Department of Defense or the Department of Homeland Security "issues a special determination to the FCC" that they do not pose an unacceptable threat.
“Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, can enhance public safety and America's leadership in global innovation,” said FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.
PCMag's drone and camera expert Jim Fisher recently wrote:
“When it comes to consumer drones, it's "DJI and the rest." DJI beats other brands in camera quality and safety features, so losing access to its products would be devastating for drone enthusiasts, vloggers, filmmakers, and others who use DJI equipment for aerial video and photography in the US.“
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Source: kaldata.com