The U.S. House of Representatives has passed an act that will ban all drones from the Chinese company DJI. This is part of the so-called “Countering CCP Drones Act”. If the Senate agrees this will mean that DJI drones can no longer be sold in the United States.
DJI controls over 70% of the worldwide drone market. The company is based in China, which concerned U.S. lawmakers.
Fear for Backdoor Access
Only 6% of DJI stock is held by Chinese state-owned companies. However, there is concern that backdoors were created to provide access for the Chinese government. If true this could be a big national security risk.
Republican representative for New York Elise Stefanik spoke on the subject saying: “DJI presents an unacceptable national security risk, and it is past time that drones made by Communist China are removed from America.” It seems many representatives agree with her because the ban was passed on Friday.
The Countering CCP Drones Act
The Countering CCP Drones Act was passed as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which is a yearly bill that determines the year’s defense spending. If the act was voted in, it would not mean that DJI drones cannot be used in the U.S., just that the sale of DJI products will be prohibited. Still, at the moment DJI drones are the most popular drones used in the U.S. and are even used by the military and the police force. The act would cause a considerable shift in the U.S. drone market.
DJI Response
After the introduction of the Countering CCP Drones Act, DJI responded by saying that the allegations are “inaccurate and unsubstantiated”. Furthermore they say that the legislations has ”amplified xenophobic narratives in a quest to support local drone manufacturers and eliminate market competition”.
If the Senate approves the bill and President Biden signs it, it will come into effect and likely change the whole drone market in the U.S.
