DJI Faces Possible US Ban by Congress, Echoing Concerns Over TikTok and China

Congress is poised to include DJI in the FCC's list of banned technologies under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act, highlighting similar US security concerns as those with TikTok.

Congressional Action to Ban DJI Amid US-China Tensions

The New York Times reports that a resolution introduced by the House Energy and Commerce Committee last month could potentially place DJI's drone fleet on nationwide grounding.

DJI would be added to the FCC's list of equipment covered by the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 if the Countering CCP Drones Act were to be enforced.

Under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act, any communication equipment or service deemed to "pose a national security risk" is prohibited from operating on US networks. Chinese corporations like Huawei and ZTE are already on the FCC's list.

In 2022, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-New York) introduced the Countering CCP Drones Act. She informs the publication that government agencies have discovered DJI's provision of data to China regarding "critical infrastructure" in the United States.

"DJI poses an unacceptable threat to national security, and it is time for drones manufactured in communist China to be removed from the United States," said the official.

Regarding a press release that was issued in March, Illinois Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi further elaborates, "Our legislation will fortify American supply chains and provide additional safeguards for our communications equipment by prohibiting the operation of DJI and other foreign-made technologies that pose serious security risks on American networks."

DJI Denies Security Risk Allegations, Echoing TikTok's Position on US Controls

DJI, on the other hand, has continued to deny the allegations. "The lawmakers driving this legislation continue to make inaccurate and unsubstantiated claims about DJI's operations," the firm stated in an explanation released earlier this year. Additionally, the company has strongly rejected the notion that it operates as a Chinese military entity.

It is noteworthy that DJI's position replicates that of TikTok. President Joe Biden enacted a bill earlier this week prohibiting using social media platforms unless an American company acquires them.

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