US Grounds Foreign Drones: FCC Bans All New Models, Dealing Blow to DJI

A new wall is going up in America, but this one is in the sky. The Trump administration'sFederal Communications Commission (FCC) on Monday banned all new foreign-made drone models from distribution in the U.S., citing sweeping "national security concerns." The move is a direct strike against Chinese drone giant DJI, the dominant player in the global market, escalating the ongoing tech rivalry between the two nations.

The government stated that Americans who already own older foreign drone models will still be able to use them. However, the pipeline for new products has been officially severed.

The 'Unacceptable Risk' Argument

In a fact sheet, the FCC claimed that “criminals, hostile foreign actors, and terrorists” could exploit drones “to present new and serious threats to our homeland.” As a result, the agency updated its Covered List—a roster of products deemed to pose an “unacceptable risk to national security”—to include all “UAS and UAS critical components produced abroad.”

DJI Fires Back: "A Disappointing Action"

The new rule is destined to strike a massive blow against DJI, widely considered the most popular drone brand for American consumers. According to TechCrunch, DJI expressed its disapproval of the decision in a statement.

“DJI is disappointed by the Federal Communications Commission’s action,” the company said, noting that no information was released about the evidence used to make the determination. “DJI products are among the safest and most secure on the market, supported by years of reviews conducted by U.S. government agencies and independent third parties.”