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ZDNET Highlights
- The ban does not stop existing drones.
- While the ban will affect any new products, existing products will remain on sale.
- This ban can have a huge impact on business and jobs.
Well, if you’re a drone operator in the US, you’ve probably seen the headlines about the “DJI drone ban” taking effect today.
But what does it mean? Is your drone about to suddenly fall from the sky? Will the Feds kick down your door if you try to blow it? Is it just bureaucratic red tape that doesn’t impress you?
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Let’s take a look at what’s happening between the US government, DJI, and other drone manufacturers and understand what it means for you.
Why is this in news today?
The reason today – December 23, 2025 – is in the news is that this deadline was set to complete the national security audit. DJIAlong with all other foreign drone manufacturers. Well, that audit was not completed. In fact, it had not even started. This isn’t DJI’s fault either; This is compounded by the fact that no agency was ever entrusted with the task of conducting the audit.
So, the deadline came and went, and the audit was not completed, resulting in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) taking foreign drone companies into its own. List of communication equipment and services It is deemed to pose “an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States or to the safety and security of American persons.” The list already includes companies like Kaspersky, HTC and Huawei.
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This means that any company manufacturing “uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and UAS critical components in a foreign country and all communications and video surveillance equipment and services is listed in Section 1709(a)(1). FY25 National Defense Authorization Act“New products will not require FCC approval. However, old stock may be sold.”
Other DI products are affected
This doesn’t just apply to drones. The ban also affects DJI action cameras, gimbals and microphones. As a result, the ban goes far beyond affecting drone operators and impacts almost anyone investing in DJI products in the US, which could have significant consequences. Just last month, digital camera world Interviewed Adam Welsh, DJI’s global policy lead, who claimed that the company’s products “support approximately 460,000 jobs and approximately $116 billion of economic activity.”
However, and this is where it gets confusing, the US government can pressure the FCC to revoke certification for existing products; The sale of products already on store shelves may be banned. However, currently, it appears to have no impact on existing products (and DJI has confirmed to ZDNET that this remains the case).
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There is also the issue of warranty and servicing. Drones can and do crash, and DJI in particular has offered excellent warranty replacement and repairs. FCC restrictions may impact parts availability and warranty replacement. In fact, over the past few months, I’ve seen multiple reports of people’s warranty replacement drones getting stuck at customs for long periods of time, or in some cases, being rejected.
What is the danger from foreign made drones?
Does the US government have any reason to be wary of foreign drones? No evidence of any risk is being made public, and other governments do not seem to be as concerned about foreign drones (although there have been some reports “concerns“About drones flying over sensitive sites in the UK).
Is any company poised to overtake DJI in terms of consumer and commercial drones? Simply put, no. DJI is years ahead of its competitors, even as companies sit on the sidelines hoping to cash in. one such company is unusual machinesA drone firm based in Florida Was appointed advisor to Donald Trump Jr. last year,
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What does the future hold for DJI and drones in general? It is impossible to say right now. It is unlikely that the US government will back down anytime soon, so the sanctions are likely to remain in place. And no domestic drone company is willing to fill the gap, so it’s likely that drone use will stagnate, and hobbyists and companies – both small and large – that have built businesses around drones will suffer.
