The Countering CCP Drones Act was included in the House version of the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act, which passed through the House of Representatives last week. Last week, a U.S. Senator said he will soon introduce a companion bill in the U.S. Senate. It aims to:
- Add DJI to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s “Covered List” which would impact U.S. drone operators’ access to DJI products
- Require the U.S. Department of Defense to assess if other drone manufacturers from China should be included in a list of alleged Chinese military companies
- Launch a grant program for state and local law enforcement agencies to replace their DJI drones with U.S.-made alternatives
The author has justified the bill as a way to “crack down on Chinese-made drones to bolster (U.S.) national security, protect Americans’ privacy and support U.S. manufacturers”, because “cheap Chinese drones are flooding the American market, costing American jobs and putting (Americans) privacy and national security at risk.”
GET THE FACTS
- DJI drones have helped public safety agencies save lives and keep first responders safe. In fact, there are several reported cases where people in the author’s own state have been saved from harm with the help of a DJI drone. In one instance, a lost hiker was found by a drone’s thermal camera after a rescue helicopter missed him. In another instance, a drone was used to spot people in distress during a late-night rescue mission in Yellowstone River.
- DJI supports initiatives that further strengthen public safety agencies, but grant programs do not guarantee production and availability of capable, reliable and safe drone alternatives. DJI has been the market leader and preferred choice for drone operators in the U.S. for years, due to its early innovation and leadership in the industry. From the start, DJI was the first to create a drone with an unmatched combination of stability, power, and reliability. This first-mover advantage, along with a strong commitment to innovation, research, and development, is what enabled DJI to dominate the market.
- The bill’s author claimed that DJI’s presence in the U.S. market has cost American jobs. This could not be further from the truth. Bills like this will devastate the American drone ecosystem risking at least $116 billion in economic activity and 450,000 American jobs supported by the use of DJI products. DJI’s robust drone platforms and local partnerships have helped develop the U.S. commercial drone industry, supporting a range of U.S. drone software start-ups and service providers. In fact, a survey by the Drone Service Providers Alliance found that restrictions sought by bills like the Countering CCP Drones Act could lead to the closure of 67% of American small drone businesses, including those who directly use drones in their work as well as those who sell drones, develop drone software or provide drone services to clients in industries like construction or insurance. These bills could also severely disrupt the drone market in broader terms as operators scramble to find alternatives, leading to product shortages and higher costs for all users.
- Loss of access to DJI drone platforms would negatively impact rural America where drones have been a “phenomenal boon” to farmers. Drones have improved operational efficiencies, allowing farmers to fly closer to their crops without the need for costly helicopters or planes, monitor their fields from a safe distance, and reduce the risk of overspray. As there are no reliable alternatives, losing access to DJI drones would force farmers to use less capable drones at a higher cost.
- DJI drone operators have control over their drone and data privacy. Their images and videos are not synced by default, and as of this month, U.S. drone operators can no longer sync their flight logs with DJI’s servers. DJI agrees that drone security and data privacy are important and recommends that Congress enlists experts to create a clear set of technology-based (not country of origin-based) security standards for all drone manufacturers, elevating security for all. Today, DJI drones already meet several industry standards including NIST FIPS 140-2 certification, and have passed multiple third-party audits conducted by international cybersecurity firms and experts. To learn more about DJI’s security and the range of privacy controls available to consumer and commercial operators, visit the DJI Trust Center.
- DJI supports the development of U.S. drone manufacturing as we believe that competition and innovation go hand in hand, and benefit end users the most. To add, removing DJI from the market will force U.S. drone operators - including public safety agencies who use our drones to save lives - to purchase drones that limit their operational capabilities and potentially put them in harm’s way.
We thank the drone community for speaking up these past weeks and engaging their Senators directly or through the resources available at the Drone Advocacy Alliance. We will continue to do our part to defend DJI’s ability to operate in the U.S. market and will share ongoing updates on Viewpoints and our social channels.
We encourage you to visit the Drone Advocacy Alliance to learn how you can make your voice heard. Contact your Senators and urge them to oppose any legislation or amendments that restrict the safe and responsible use of your drones.
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