DJI has welcomed the final passing of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes provisions that single out drones manufactured in China for scrutiny. The company, however, has not been banned from operating or selling products in the US market.
The Countering CCP Drones Act (CCCPD Act) was set to block new DJI products from entering the US market and potentially revoke existing FCC authorizations. However, this bill was not included in the NDAA passed by Congress earlier this week.
DJI expressed gratitude to its drone community for their efforts in engaging with key stakeholders and emphasizing how anti-DJI actions would impact businesses and public safety agencies. The company acknowledges that concerns exist, particularly regarding provisions in the NDAA.
The NDAA calls for an “appropriate national security agency” to conduct a risk assessment on drones manufactured in China. However, DJI has some reservations:
– No specific agency is designated for this task.
– If no agency conducts a study within one year, DJI and another Chinese manufacturer would automatically be added to the FCC’s Covered List, potentially preventing new products from being launched without fault.
– There is no provision for a right of reply or due administrative process, which could hinder finding security flaws.
DJI calls on Congress to address these concerns by:
– Designating a relevant technically-focused agency to ensure evidence-based assessments.
– Granting DJI a fair right of reply and opportunity to fix any findings and discuss additional security mitigations.
As the US government’s new Administration takes office in 2025, legislative activity is expected to continue with significant implications for DJI. The company encourages its customers to stay informed and engaged on this issue.
Source: https://viewpoints.dji.com/blog/u.s.-congress-finalizes-fy25-national-defense-authorization-act-ndaa-without-countering-ccp-drones-act-heres-what-to-watch-for-in-2025