Last December, the U.S. Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025. Among its provisions is a critical requirement: that a designated national security agency must conduct a risk assessment on drones manufactured in China by December 23, 2025.
We are now less than six months away from this deadline. In March 2025, we penned a letter formally urging relevant agencies to fulfill this obligation set out by Congress. We made clear then - as we do now - that we welcome the opportunity to participate in a rigorous, transparent, and fair audit. We believe our products will stand up to scrutiny because our security protections and data privacy controls are real, robust, and industry-leading.
Since the start of this year, there has been no formal indication that the mandated review process has started. However, on July 10th, a group of lawmakers called on the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to complete the review - but to do so within 30 days. While we welcome the news of the audit finally getting support, we are deeply concerned that such a short timeline risks undermining the integrity of the process altogether.
A credible assessment must allow time for evidence to be reviewed, and it must include meaningful opportunities for engagement, clarification, and responsible dialogue. We urge policymakers to uphold the intent of the law by ensuring that this review is transparent, grounded in evidence, and not rushed. Reconsidering the proposed timeline is essential to enable a more thorough review - one that builds trust and constructively addresses concerns.
Without a credible process, there is a real risk that new DJI drones would be prevented from entering the U.S. market – not because of any proven risk, but simply due to compressed timelines or politically motivated decisions. This would deprive thousands of businesses, public safety agencies, and everyday users of essential technology, disrupting operations, increasing costs, and limiting access to tools that support safety, productivity, and innovation.
We are already seeing consequences at the state-level. The 2025 state legislative sessions saw a wave of proposals and legislation aimed at restricting the use of DJI drones, based on the same unfounded and unproven allegations that make a proper federal review so important. These risk sidelining the most widely used, capable, cost-effective, and trusted drone technology in the country.
What’s at stake
Explore the map below to hear directly from public safety officials, farmers, and industry leaders across the U.S. who use DJI drones every day. These are real-world stories from communities already feeling the impact – and standing to lose even more.
According to recent surveys, 2-in-3 businesses say they would shut down without access to drones manufactured in China. That’s not just a statistic – it’s a glaring red flag that removing DJI from the market is a bad idea. Banning or restricting DJI isn’t simply a policy choice, it’s a move that could send shockwaves through the economy, disrupt essential services, and strip away tools that thousands of professionals use every day to work smarter, safer, and more efficiently.
The consequences aren’t just operational – they’re financial. Public safety agencies, small businesses, and community services already operate on tight budgets. Forcing a switch to higher-cost alternatives would mean doing less with more – or worse, doing nothing at all.
Let’s Protect Innovation, Not Ground It
At DJI, we remain committed to working with all stakeholders to address concerns while continuing to deliver technology that saves lives, enhances public safety, and drives economic and social progress.
But progress requires process, especially when the stakes include American workers, businesses, and first responders.
As the NDAA deadline approaches, we call on the U.S. government to complete the NDAA mandated audit in a fair, transparent, and evidence-based manner: before lives, jobs, and entire industries across the country are put at risk.
If this issue affects your work or community, now is the time to speak up. Visit www.droneadvocacyalliance.com to learn more and make your voice heard.
