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DJI Escapes US Drone Ban, But May Get Banned Automatically Unless Trump Steps In
In a shocking turn of events, the US Senate has passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which grants DJI, the world’s largest drone company, a temporary reprieve from a potential ban. However, this reprieve comes with a catch: DJI must now convince an appropriate national security agency that its products do not pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States within the next year.
If DJI fails to satisfy these concerns, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will automatically add its gear to its “covered list” under the Secure and Trusted Communication Networks Act. This move would effectively block all imports of DJI’s products into the US, including their popular Osmo Pocket 3 camera drone.
While this may seem like a win for DJI, it is essentially a ticking time bomb that could have devastating consequences for the company and its customers. The NDAA does not specify which agency will be responsible for carrying out the assessment, leaving DJI in limbo until further notice.
DJI has already faced increased scrutiny from US authorities, with reports of surprise import restrictions and the company’s decision to ship fewer drones into the United States as a result. In response, DJI is asking Congress to assign a “technically focused agency” to study its products and provide evidence-based assessments, giving the company an opportunity to reply and address any concerns.
As the ball now lies in DJI’s court, it remains unclear what actions the company will take next. However, with President-elect Trump set to take office soon, it may be up to him whether or not he wants to rescue the Chinese drone giant from potential disaster.
It is worth noting that even without this NDAA, DJI was already facing challenges in the US market due to increased scrutiny over concerns related to forced labor practices and national security risks.
Source: www.theverge.com
