US considers restrictions or ban on Chinese drones over security risks

US mulls new rules to limit or ban Chinese drones

The US Commerce Department announced Thursday it is considering new rules that could limit or ban the sale of Chinese-made drones in the United States. This move follows alarming reports of unidentified drone sightings in New Jersey and New York, raising national security concerns.

Public feedback and national security risks

The department has invited public comments until March 4 to strengthen the security of the US drone supply chain. Officials cited “acute threats from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Russia” that could enable adversaries to access and manipulate drones, potentially exposing sensitive US data.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo called this step “essential to safeguarding the United States from vulnerabilities posed by foreign entities.” She emphasized that securing the technology supply chain for unmanned aircraft systems is critical for national security.

China’s dominance in the drone market

China, led by Shenzhen-based DJI, holds over 90% of the global market for consumer drones, according to MIT Technology Review. While Paul Rosenzweig, a former Homeland Security official, noted that Chinese drones pose a modest risk compared to 5G or microchip technologies, he acknowledged that addressing vulnerabilities in the drone supply chain is a positive step.

Legislative and regulatory actions

Congress recently passed a bill that could ban the sale of new drones from DJI and Autel Robotics if a security review determines they pose an “unacceptable risk” to national security. In 2019, the Pentagon barred the use of Chinese-manufactured drones or components.

The timeline for implementing these measures coincides with President-elect Donald Trump’s administration taking office on January 20. Trump’s appointee, Howard Lutnick, will replace Raimondo as Commerce Secretary and oversee any final decisions on the ban.

Controversies and denials

DJI has denied allegations of wrongdoing and sued the Defense Department after being added to a list of companies allegedly linked to the Chinese military. Meanwhile, U.S. officials have expressed growing concerns about China’s influence in emerging technologies, including drones, humanoid robots, and smart devices.

Drone sightings and spy concerns

Mysterious drones spotted near US military bases and Chinese-owned farmland have fueled fears of espionage. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul suggested that some of these drones could be Chinese spy devices. Experts have warned of the potential exploitation of other technologies, such as wearable fitness trackers and doorbell cameras, for malicious purposes.

Broader concerns

The US government is also investigating a massive breach of telecom firms by Chinese hackers, which reportedly gave Beijing access to private communications. Simultaneously, the Supreme Court is deliberating on the constitutionality of banning TikTok, a Chinese-owned app, amid similar security concerns.

As tensions between the US and China over technology and security persist, the proposed drone regulations highlight the increasing scrutiny of Chinese-made products in sensitive sectors.

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