According to CNET, the FCC voted 3-0 last week to close security loopholes that could lead to future and retroactive bans of DJI drones and products using its technology. The vote specifically targets communication technology like DJI’s radio frequency systems, treating them similarly to already-banned Huawei products. DJI is pushing for an extension of a December deadline that would automatically add them to a ban list without evidence or right to appeal if an audit doesn’t occur. The potential ban would only affect new sales, not drones already owned by consumers. Meanwhile, government agencies are already prohibited from purchasing Chinese drones including DJI, and many DJI models are reportedly sold out at retailers due to inventory issues regardless of the FCC action.
Sponsored content — provided for informational and promotional purposes.
DJI’s Uphill Battle
Here’s the thing: DJI finds itself in a nearly impossible position. The company dominates the consumer drone market—their products consistently top “best of” lists—but they’re facing the same geopolitical headwinds that sank Huawei. Their argument about being banned “without any evidence of wrongdoing” is compelling from a due process perspective, but let’s be real: when national security concerns get invoked, evidence often becomes classified.
So what’s their play? They’re pushing for that audit and deadline extension, basically trying to buy time. But even if they succeed, they’re fighting an administration that’s made containing Chinese technology influence a cornerstone policy. The DJI blog post about the NDAA deadline reads like a company trying to rally public support, but how much does public opinion matter in national security decisions?
What This Means for Drone Buyers
Look, if you’ve been eyeing a DJI drone, the writing is basically on the wall. The UAV Coach guide notes that most models are already sold out, creating a de facto shortage before any official ban even takes effect. That creates this weird gray market situation where remaining inventory becomes premium-priced.
And here’s what’s interesting: current owners are safe. For now. The FCC’s new safeguards focus on blocking future sales and imports, not confiscating existing drones. But does anyone really believe that’s the endgame? Once a product is deemed a national security threat, how long before the government starts looking at existing deployments?
The Broader Tech Cold War
This isn’t really about drones anymore. It’s about the decoupling of US and Chinese tech ecosystems. DJI just happens to be the most visible Chinese tech brand that average Americans actually buy and use. They’re the collateral damage in a much larger strategic competition.
So what happens next? We’ll probably see DJI attempt some corporate restructuring—maybe spinning off US operations or creating “sanitized” versions of their technology. But will that be enough? When national security concerns get this heated, compromise becomes increasingly difficult. The clock is ticking toward December, and right now, it doesn’t look good for drone enthusiasts who prefer the market leader.
