The FCC has given itself the power to impose a ban on DJI drones

This morning, the FCC voted 3-0 to authorize the same Retroactive ban of tools and radio components Which has previously been approved for entry into the United States, if the company that manufactures it is considered a risk to national security.

Officially, it is a way to fill in the gaps and Protecting US networks from backdoors in Chinese telecom equipment. But it could also give the Trump administration a new way to block Chinese consumer electronics devices operating on open airwaves, starting with those made by drone maker DJI, though the U.S. government has not publicly released evidence that they pose a threat.

On December 23, less than two months from today, new DJI products will be launched They will be automatically banned from import into the United StatesUnless there is an “appropriate national security agency” Proactively Testify that they do no They pose a threat to national security. They will be blocked because these companies will be added to the “covered list” under the Secure and Reliable Communications Networks Act, which prevents the FCC from licensing their in-house radios for use in the United States — and without that license, importing these items for sale here is illegal.

DJI today confirms that no US security agency has conducted this review. “More than ten months have passed without any indication that the process has begun,” said Adam Welsh, head of global policy for DJI. Edge.

He says DJI welcomes an investigation: “As the deadline approaches, we urge the US government to initiate a mandatory review or grant an extension to ensure a fair, evidence-based process that protects American jobs, safety and innovation.”

Eight months ago, DJI assumed that if the worst happened, it would not be completely banned from the US. “If we are added to the included list, it will not be retroactive.” Welsh told me in February. “So, you’re going to be in the opposite position where the current Mavic model will continue to be on sale in the U.S., but the newer model will be available in Canada, Mexico and everywhere else in the world,” he said.

But now it looks like a ban He could It is retrospective, with three important nuances:

“We emphasize that we are not currently requiring manufacturers to replace equipment in the hands of consumers,” part of the article read. A 60-page “fact sheet.” Explains how the new FCC order works. “(the
It added that continued use of such equipment already in users’ hands will still be permitted.

Instead, the new order directs the FCC to conduct a “public interest analysis” for each product, where it “shall give special weight” to any national security risk posed by that product. Then, the FCC must “provide an opportunity for public comment for at least 30 days,” she says.

While I did not see everyone This much To suggest that DJI poses a greater security risk than any other company selling flying cameras, I can understand why some would be concerned about spies in the sky theoretically sending images to a company with some ties to the Chinese government even if there is little evidence of that. (DJI is currently appealing the ruling The judge allowed the Pentagon to continue calling it a “Chinese military company.”“; The judge was not convinced that DJI was effectively controlled by the Chinese government.)

If you’re among those concerned, closing these loopholes makes sense — because DJI has created several shell companies to push through the potential ban. In July, the company did not deny this Edge Which This is a Skyrover drone DJI’s product was compelling. Three weeks ago, he didn’t deny it Edge Which These extra cameras DJI products are also compelling.

DJI controller Conrad Iturbe maintains Playlist of supposed “DJI front companies” on GitHubMost of them have hard evidence linking their products to DJI in one way or another. on saturday, a statement He found many of them by scanning FCC records for the unique frequencies used in their OcuSync transmitters, which are responsible for the long-range, low-latency video that gives DJI drones a competitive advantage.

The order will allow the FCC to crack down on masked (or legally licensed) DJI products as well — because it can now ban a product simply because it contains a DJI radio transmitter, or if DJI is responsible for any of the design or manufacturing of its components. According to an FCC document, “a device is generally considered to have been produced by an entity if that entity designed, manufactured, assembled, or developed the device.”

It’s possible that DJI could play afoul of the US government and try to import its products anyway, but OcuSync’s unique wireless signature could make that more difficult. It will be easier for them to import their cameras that use regular Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Like the excellent and popular Osmo Pocket 3But they will not be exempt from the ban.

By default, DJI will have to stop importing everyone New products use wireless transmitters, not just drones, unless a security agency intervenes before the December 23 deadline.