DJI is evading a US ban but has one year to prove its products do not pose a threat to national security

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) spending bill was just released and gives DJI a year before it is banned in the US. Edge I mentioned. DJI and its competitor Autel were expected to be banned by the end of 2024 due to a provision of the CCP anti-drone law. However, the bill gives DJI an additional year to prove to the “appropriate National Security Agency” that its products do not pose a national security risk in the United States.

If that fails, the bill would allow the FCC to put DJI drones on its covered list for 2026, meaning retailers would no longer be able to import them. It also means that products (including drones and cameras like the Osmo Pocket 3) will be banned from connecting to US networks, and their internal radios will no longer be licensed by the FCC. This would technically prohibit the use of DJI products already owned by consumers, although the US would likely not prevent consumers from doing so.

And in response to it Viewpoints BlogDJI said it was “good news” that the ban was not included in this year’s budget. But she pointed out that “drones manufactured in China are subject to scrutiny, and legislation does not designate a specific agency to conduct the required study.” The last point could cause harm to the company “simply because no agency has chosen to do the work of studying our product,” she wrote.

The main reason DJI survives is to support drone enthusiasts and content creators, along with law enforcement and search and rescue organizations. “If a bill like this were to pass fully and potentially ban the use of Chinese public safety drones, it would be disastrous for the public safety drone industry.” He said Law Enforcement Drone Association spokesman Brendan Carr in a letter to Congress.

However, US representatives believe they pose a risk. “DJI drones pose a national security threat to TikTok, but with wings. This Chinese-controlled company cannot be allowed to continue operating in the United States.” He said Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik. Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamurthy added: “These Chinese-made drones allow the Chinese Communist Party to access data in a backdoor way and ultimately monitor Americans.”