Own a DJI drone? Here's how the FCC ban affects you today
Don't panic: You can still fly your DJI drone - for now. Here's what we know so far.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
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ZDNET's key takeaways
- The ban doesn't ground existing drones.
- The ban will affect new products, but existing products remain on sale.
- The ban could have a significant impact on businesses and jobs.
OK, if you're a drone operator in the US, then you've likely seen the headlines about the "DJI drone ban."
But what does this mean? Is your drone going to suddenly fall from the sky? Are the Feds going to kick your door down if you try to fly it? Is this just bureaucratic red tape that doesn't affect you?
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Let's take a look at what's happening between the US government, DJI, and other drone manufacturers, and decipher what that means for you.
Why is this in the news?
The reason this made headlines is that Dec. 23, 2025, was the deadline set for a national security audit to be completed on DJI, along with all other foreign drone manufacturers. The audit was not completed. In fact, it was not even started. That was not the fault of DJI, either; no agency was ever tasked with conducting the audits.
The deadline came and went, and the audit was not completed, resulting in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adding foreign drone companies to its list of communications equipment and services deemed "to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the US or the security and safety of US persons."
The list has already been home to companies such as Kaspersky, HTC, and Huawei.
This means any company manufacturing "uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and UAS critical components produced in a foreign country and all communications and video surveillance equipment and services listed in Section 1709(a)(1) of the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act" will not get FCC approval for new products. However, existing stock can still be sold.
Other DJI products are affected
The ban doesn't just apply to drones.
It affects DJI action cameras, gimbals, and microphones. As a result, the ban extends beyond drone operators and impacts nearly anyone in the US who has invested in DJI products, which could have significant repercussions.
Just last month, Digital Camera World interviewed Adam Welsh, DJI's head of global policy, who claimed the company's products support "about 460,000 jobs and about $116 billion worth of economic activity."
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However, this is where it gets confusing. The US government could push the FCC to revoke certification for existing products, meaning products already on store shelves could be banned from sale. Currently, however, this has not had an impact on existing products, and DJI has confirmed to ZDNET that this remains the case.
There's also the issue of warranty and servicing.
Drones can and do crash, and DJI, in particular, has offered excellent warranty replacements and repairs. The FCC ban could affect parts availability and warranty replacements. Over the past few months, there have been several reports of warranty replacement drones being stuck in customs for extended periods or, in some cases, being rejected.
What's the risk of foreign-made drones?
If you're wondering whether the US government has a reason to be wary of foreign drones, there is no public evidence of any risk. Other governments also do not appear to be overly concerned about foreign drones, although there have been reports of "concerns" about drones flying over sensitive sites in the UK.
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There aren't any companies in a position to take over from DJI in the consumer and commercial drone markets, either. DJI is years ahead of competitors, although some companies are sitting on the sidelines hoping to cash in. One such company is Unusual Machines, a Florida-based drone firm that appointed Donald Trump Jr. as an adviser last year.
What does the future hold for DJI and drones in general?
Right now, it's impossible to say.
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It's unlikely the US government will back down anytime soon, so the ban is likely to remain in place. With no domestic drone companies ready to fill the gap, drone usage could stagnate, and hobbyists and companies -- both small and large -- that have built businesses around drones could suffer.