DJI’s new drones will not be available in the US as FCC ban takes effect

American consumers will no longer have access to the latest drone technology following a decisive action by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which has imposed a ban on foreign-made drones effective immediately. This new regulation, announced on Tuesday, categorizes these drones as communications equipment that pose significant risks to U.S. national security. The FCC has added drones to its Covered List, which already includes companies like Kaspersky, ZTE, and Huawei. According to a fact sheet released by the FCC, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and their critical components—including data transmission devices, flight controllers, and navigation systems—could facilitate surveillance, data theft, and potentially harmful operations within U.S. borders, particularly at major events such as the World Cup and Olympics. While current owners of Chinese-made drones can continue to use their devices, no new approvals will be granted for drones from foreign manufacturers. Some previously authorized models from DJI and other foreign companies will remain available for sale. The FCC's decision was influenced by an evaluation from a specialized Executive Branch interagency group, organized by the White House, focused on national security. The scrutiny surrounding drones has intensified over the years due to concerns about their potential as national security threats and their capacity to invade privacy and disrupt airspace. The momentum for the ban gained traction after the passage of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which included provisions aimed at countering threats from Chinese drones. Companies like DJI were given a year to demonstrate that their products do not pose any security risks to the nation.