US drone sales ban leaves DJI’s future up in the air

DJI, which holds the biggest share of the US drone market, faces an uncertain future as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued an order banning the sale of new foreign-made drones in the country.

According to the FCC, the sale ban is necessary as it sees foreign-made drones as “an unacceptable risk to national security”. And on top of this rationale, the ban is also intended to accelerate the growth of domestic drone manufacturing and technology.

That said, current DJI owners are still permitted to use their drones, and US consumers can purchase models that have already been authorised for sale.

Concerns over Chinese-made drones have been brewing among US officials for years. The US government has warned that these drones could potentially transmit sensitive flight data back to China. DJI, along with several other Chinese technology firms, has also been accused of having links to China’s People’s Liberation Army. DJI has previously denied these allegations.

While the full impact of the FCC’s ban will unfold over time, it places DJI at a critical crossroads. Whether DJI can pivot toward other markets may determine how long it can maintain its global dominance in the drone industry.

Source: FCC via Android Authority