The long-rumored ban has finally come true, as a decision to ban the sale of DJI drones in the United States has taken effect. However, the decision was not limited to DJI alone, but included a ban on the sale of all drones manufactured outside the United States, in addition to their basic components.
The US Federal Communications Commission stated that a number of security agencies have concluded that drones and their critical components produced in foreign countries pose an unacceptable threat to US national security.
Accordingly, foreign drones and their essential parts were included in the Authority’s “covered list”, based on a security assessment issued by the Executive Authority.
The head of the authority stressed that the administration of President Donald Trump has repeatedly stressed the priority of national security, which was directly reflected in this decision. However, the ban was limited to new sales only, meaning that currently owned foreign aircraft could continue to be used without restrictions.
In the same context, retailers were allowed to continue selling models that had previously obtained FCC approval, while the ban was limited to future models. The door was also opened to possible exceptions, as the Ministry of War or the Ministry of Homeland Security could allow the introduction of specific new models if they are security-approved.
For its part, DJI defended its products, stressing that they are among the safest on the market, and supported by years of reviews conducted by US government agencies and independent parties.
The company added that concerns regarding data security are not based on concrete evidence, considering that these measures reflect a protectionist tendency that conflicts with the principles of the open market.
