Congress is on the verge of taking down a giant of the drone industry, but the collateral damage could clip the wings of American enthusiasts. And not only that, but it can also strain your wallet as a taxpayer. Here's what you need to know about what could happen if Congress bans DJI drones.
The proposed law, called the Countering CCP Drones Act, takes aim at DJI, which has long been the world's largest drone manufacturer. The CCP Counter-Drone Act places DJI on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) blacklist, effectively blocking new DJI drones from accessing the communications infrastructure needed to operate in the United States.
These rules will very likely stifle innovation in the drone market, and will almost certainly make it more expensive for hobby drone pilots and photographers to purchase new equipment. It could also make government equipment more expensive for every American who pays taxes. This is all because of a proposed bill that could ban DJI drones.
What happens if Congress bans DJI drones?
Inside the Chinese Communist Party's drone countermeasures
The bill currently in the works is called HR 2864, or the “CCP Counter Drones Act.” This controversial bill, introduced by Representatives Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Mike Gallagher (R-WI), specifically targets Shenzhen Da-Jiang Innovations Sciences and Technologies Company Limited, a Chinese drone manufacturer commonly known as DJI Technologies. ) is specified. The bill proposes a broad ban on drones manufactured by China-based DJI, the world's leading drone manufacturer.
And perhaps worst of all, this bill would make it impossible for any new DJI products to reach the U.S. market. Yes, the ban only applies to new models of DJI drones from the time the law is passed. That means it's okay to fly a drone you already own. This is a change from previous consideration of a rule change that would also revoke approvals for drones currently in use, according to federal filings.
So how exactly does it apply? DJI technology could potentially be prohibited from operating in U.S. telecommunications infrastructure. Because drones rely primarily on the FCC network, the law prohibits their use in the United States. This is because the FCC can no longer grant new equipment approvals for DJI products in the United States. Read the full CCP drone response bill here.
While the bill cites national security concerns about potential Chinese espionage, the real-world implications could be felt most keenly by American drone enthusiasts. And at the second level, this will be felt by everyone who pays taxes to the government that uses it.
Of course, the Countering CCP Drones Act is not progressing in a vacuum. The proposed bill comes at a time when lawmakers are also discussing bans on other Chinese technologies, such as TikTok. While the specific concerns are different (social media influencer TikTok and DJI with possible drone surveillance), both were prompted by concerns that Chinese tech companies could potentially collect user data or act as conduits for espionage. And both proposed bans raise similar questions about the effectiveness of broad measures in addressing complex national security problems.
“China is using its monopoly control over the drone market and communications infrastructure to target Americans’ data and closely monitor our critical infrastructure,” bill sponsor Rep. Ellis Stefanik (R-NY) said in a statement regarding the CCP drone response. “He said. action.
How will the DJI drone ban impact the hobby drone industry?
DJI is synonymous with consumer drones, offering a variety of affordable and user-friendly options. With no more DJI products, the concept of an affordable, user-friendly option for hobby pilots may be coming to an end. After all, there are very few recreational drones aimed at hobbyists.
According to the Countering CCP Drones Act, DJI produces more than 50% of the drones sold in the United States. According to some indicators, DJI market share is even higher.
There is not a single American-made drone under $500 that I would recommend. Even if your budget had stretched to $1,000, I would have recommended the Skydio 2 drone, which starts at $999. But those drones no longer exist either. Skydio is shutting down its consumer drone division in 2023 to focus on the military and enterprise markets.
What about drones that aren't necessarily made in the U.S., but aren't made by DJI? Even the options are slim. My guide to the best camera drones focuses on products that hobbyists and prosumers can purchase at a reasonable price. There are only a few options I would recommend. This includes Autel Evo Lite+. That drone was also made in China.
Other laws restricting DJI drones
There is no shortage of proposed legislation to crack down on DJI.
For example, the American Security Drone Act of 2023 is a bipartisan bill that would ban federal agencies from purchasing drones made by countries with ties to the Chinese government. Sponsors include Senator Mitt Romney. [R-UT]Senator Mark Warner [D-VA], sen. Marco Rubio [R-FL]Senator Richard Blumenthal [D-CT]Senator Marsha Blackburn [R-TN]Senator Christopher Murphy [D-CT]Senator Josh Hawley [R-MO].
There is also the Buy American Act of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). This law sets standards for how many products must be manufactured in the United States to be considered truly American. The current standard is that 65% of the parts must be made in the United States. However, it will increase to 70% in 2029.
FAR's Buy American Act applies only to products purchased by the U.S. government for its own use with federal financial assistance. However, there are many exceptions. This includes cases where a US-made version of what is considered a ‘reasonable’ cost is not available. And if DJI drones are considered reasonable in price, American-made drones certainly are not.
This applies to all federal agencies. However, if this new law is enacted, it will impact hobby drone pilots.
The most important things hobby pilots should worry about if Congress bans DJI drones
This bill could bring many changes to the way hobby pilots purchase and fly drones. These include: Here's what enthusiasts need to worry about:
- Limited selection: DJI's dominance in the consumer market means options for finding comparable alternatives are slim. With few other options, drone pilots can't get the specs they need at a price they can afford.
- Drone innovation declines: It's no secret that DJI is one of the biggest innovators in drone technology. When DJI launched the Phantom 4, consumers were left with an unprecedented sense of sensibility and aversion to technology. The Mavic Pro drone further improves the portability of drones. And newer products like the Avata drone have made FPV flying and racing accessible through ready-to-fly drones. If DJI disappears, the market could lose a key innovator.
- Used issues: Considering that the current proposed bill only applies to new drones, not those you've already purchased, here's one point that might be persuasive. Buying a used DJI drone can get much more expensive. On the bright side, drone owners looking to get rid of older models can sell their used drones for a higher price than before.
Security issues related to DJI are a valid discussion. But the blanket scenario of Congress banning DJI drones is a blunt tool that punishes American consumers in the process.
How it could increase costs for all taxpayers
It's not just hobbyists who can pay more for their own drones, it's all taxpayers who can pay more for their government's drones.
Government agencies such as the National Park Service use inexpensive DJI drones for non-sensitive tasks such as wildlife counting or terrain surveying. This work is critical to conservation efforts, and DJI drones provide a cost-effective way to do it.
Likewise, many search and rescue, law enforcement, and other first responder operations also use DJI drones. The DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise offers surveying and thermal tools at a much lower price than other enterprise drones. Indoor drones like the $999 Avata 2 also perform indoor inspections in buildings that are too unsafe for humans to enter.
Forcing people to switch to more expensive alternatives could be a waste of taxpayer dollars.
Which law is better?
Congress should explore more targeted measures that address specific security risks without damaging the burgeoning community of drone enthusiasts. Alternative solutions worth looking into include:
- Requires stricter security protocols This applies to all drone manufacturers, not just Chinese companies.
- Invest in an American drone company Foster domestic competition and create safe alternatives.
- License system development The goal is to ensure that pre-approved, safe drones can operate freely.
Drones offer a unique perspective on photography, videography, mapping, environmental monitoring, as well as pure fun (e.g. racing). They have the potential to revolutionize industries and empower individuals. Congress must find a way to address security concerns without giving up the dreams of America's drone enthusiasts. But more importantly, do this without straining government agencies' budgets.
If Congress bans DJI drones, the hobby drone industry as we know it will change forever. However, this bill is currently only at the introduction stage. It did not pass either the House or the Senate. Track your status here.
Whether it's TikTok or DJI drones, lawmakers should find a more nuanced approach that fosters domestic innovation while mitigating legitimate security risks. And we must do so without unfairly punishing American consumers, taxpayers, and businesses in the process.