The future of DJI (Da Jiang Innovations) drones is metaphorically up in the air as the Countering CCP Drones Act, introduced by Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY), gains more support in Congress, raising the possibility of a nationwide ban in the U.S.
Proponents of the bill cite national security concerns, alleging DJI drones are providing data on critical infrastructure in the United States to the Chinese Communist Party. If passed, the bill could significantly impact the drone industry in the U.S. and potentially affect consumers who rely on DJI drones for recreation, commercial applications and public safety initiatives like search and rescue missions. DJI is fighting the ban through lobbying efforts and more.
In a nutshell:
The U.S. government may ban DJI drones, concerned that China is collecting information through them.
This would impact several areas of the consumer market and commercial drone market.
The legislative effort to ban DJI drones
Following unanimous approval by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the bill is making its way through Congress and could later land on President Joe Biden’s desk. The legislation proposes adding DJI to a list maintained by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019. This would block DJI’s drones from running on communications infrastructure in the U.S., according to “The New York Times,” effectively rendering them unusable. While the bill has received wide bipartisan support, DJI has vehemently voiced its opposition.
DJI’s opposition
In a blog post titled “Get the Facts,” DJI denounced what it calls “inaccurate and unsubstantiated allegations” against its operations. The company argues that such measures not only stifle competition but also perpetuate xenophobic narratives while hindering innovation in the drone industry. The company claims users can opt out of a feature that allows DJI drones to collect flight logs, photos or videos. It also suggests operators turn on a Local Data Mode feature, disconnecting the flight app from the internet.
DJI has also insisted it “follows the rules and regulations in the markets it operates in,” adding that it’s “not a military company." “We remain one of the few drone companies to clearly denounce and actively discourage use of our drones in combat. DJI does not manufacture military-grade equipment, nor does it pursue business opportunities for combat use or operations.”
DJI’s dominance of consumer and commercial markets
Over the past decade, DJI has solidified its position as the leading global manufacturer of consumer drones, boasting an estimated 58% market share as of 2022, according to “The New York Times.” The brand’s ascent to prominence can be attributed to a strategic blend of affordability, accessibility and cutting-edge features, making it easy for beginners to learn how to fly a drone. This combination has empowered DJI users to capture breathtaking aerial perspectives in both photography and videography. Consequently, DJI drones have become the go-to choice for travelers, event organizers and real estate agents, offering an experience you can’t get from even the best mirrorless cameras.
Beyond the consumer market, DJI has become indispensable in industries like construction, energy and agriculture. Their drones, equipped with some of the best professional cameras available, enable faster and safer assessments of buildings, infrastructure and crops. These drones are also routinely employed to help generate detailed maps and surveys of land, buildings and construction sites, providing invaluable data for urban planning and environmental monitoring initiatives.
Additionally, search and rescue operations benefit from the capabilities of DJI’s drones, enabling teams to cover large areas and navigate challenging terrain when locating missing persons.
Concerns about data security
Despite their popularity among consumers and in commercial sectors, DJI is still considered a security threat. According to Irina Tsukerman, a geopolitical analyst and president of Scarab Rising, Inc., DJI drones may be used for espionage.
“Recent intelligence reports point to a high possibility that Chinese technology in UAVs, automotive technology and other types of widely used tech could be used for espionage,” says Tsukerman. “Collection of private and public data could assist Chinese efforts in achieving technological and military dominance against the U.S. and could also be used to target American citizens and industries in various areas, ranging from more advanced intelligence gathering, profiling for recruitment purposes and industrial espionage or sabotage.”
Previous legislation regarding DJI drones
DJI has come under increasing scrutiny from the U.S. government in recent years. In 2020, the Department of Commerce added DJI to its Entity List, preventing U.S.-based companies from exporting technology to DJI. The following year, the Department of Treasury raised concerns that DJI drones were being used to surveil China’s Uyghur Muslim minority. Most recently, in 2022, the Department of Defense added DJI to its own blacklist, further limiting the company’s ability to do business with the U.S. government.
Modern drones are critically dependent on communication infrastructure for core functionalities like GPS navigation, control signal transmission and a real-time video feed. Denial of access to this infrastructure for DJI drones would effectively sever their ability to receive the continuous flow of data and instructions necessary for stable flight, precise control and real-time visual feedback. This critical connection serves as the lifeblood of these drones, and its severance would render them largely inert.
DJI isn’t the only Chinese company raising concerns in Washington, of course. President Biden recently signed a bill that would ban TikTok from operating in the U.S. unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells the app entirely within a year.
DJI’s efforts to avoid the ban
To counter attempts to prohibit its products, DJI has invested heavily in lobbying efforts and has sought grass roots support from drone operators. The company has financed the Drone Advocacy Alliance website, which aims to collaborate with industry players and lawmakers, while empowering end-users to select the drone of their choice. Additionally, the website offers resources for contacting elected officials to further advocate for these goals.
The pros and cons of a DJI drone ban
“Simply banning Chinese-made drones is not enough,” says Tsukerman. “The U.S. still remains helpless if a portion of its tech industry and UAV ownership sinks with the ship. An economic sinkhole would serve China's geopolitical strategy just as much as handicapping or controlling U.S. businesses and entire sectors of technology through active surveillance.”
DJI’s dominance in the drone market means a ban could potentially stifle innovation. With less competition, there may be less pressure for companies to develop new features and improve existing technology. A ban could also make it harder for U.S. companies to access DJI’s advanced drone technology, hindering their ability to develop new products or improve upon existing ones. Conversely, a ban could push companies to invest more heavily in developing advanced alternatives.
Ultimately, a ban will mean fewer drone options for consumers overall — at least in the beginning. This could potentially limit a customer’s ability to find a drone that meets their needs and budget. With fewer options available, companies might have less incentive to offer competitive prices, potentially leading to higher costs for consumers. Meanwhile, a ban could disrupt several businesses and organizations that rely on DJI drones for agriculture, construction and search and rescue.
There are those who believe otherwise, of course: Representative John Moolenaar (R-MI) argues that a DJI drone ban will foster a more robust and competitive drone industry. Skydio, an American company based in California, is one of the strongest alternatives to DJI and makes some of the best drones on the market. The company’s products are designed, assembled and supported in the U.S., according to its About Us Page.
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