It’s not just a case of ‘reds under the bed’ this time – to reference anti-communist paranoia from the 1940s /50s – but also in the skies too… AP readers will already be aware of the current US government’s effective ban on the importation of new drones from leading Chinese manufacturer DJI, with the US citing national security concerns as the key reason.
Now the US’ Federal Communications Commission – or ‘FCC’ for short – is set to go further and for the first time wield self-appointed powers to retroactively ban gadgets that have already received its approval to be imported and sold in the United States.
The reason given is its suspicion that around eight companies are currently acting as a ‘front’ for DJI technology to sneak very similar ‘cloned’ or re-shelled product into the US and defy the country’s current restrictions on foreign-made drones.
All over for ‘rover?
A couple of weeks back, at the time of writing, the FCC proposed a $25,000 fine on these companies. But now the ante is being upped. If it goes ahead with an outright ban, it could mean that product listings on the likes of Amazon disappear overnight – and any supplies currently sitting in US warehouses may need to be written off.
The full list of companies understood to be under the FCC’s watch comprises Cogito Tech, Fixaxo Technology, Lyno Dynamics, Skyhigh Tech, Spatial Hover, SZ Knowact, WaveGo Tech and Xtra Technology. This list includes those responsible for Skyrover drones and Xtra cameras, among others.
If you’re a US resident who has already bought and is using a gadget from one of these companies, however, it appears there is no need for panic just yet. AP understands the FCC’s latest edict would not affect products previously purchased.
And in any event, the body is undertaking a 30-day public consultation before making its next move. While the FCC has tentatively concluded companies are selling products with DJI DNA that should also be banned under national security fears, it is at least making a show of being open to listening to specific evidence to the contrary.
However, it is worth noting that the US government has not, to date, provided specific evidence itself of foreign-made drones providing a threat to national security, or why adjacent products including cameras might also get caught up in any future ban. So, it could be argued such consultations also don’t quite hold up.
For the time being AP understands that the FCC has temporarily ‘deferred the grantee codes of these companies’ – as reported by The Verge – a slightly opaque phrase awaiting further clarification, but which could be taken to mean that future products from the companies it has its eye on may not be authorised for importation and sale in the USA. Watch this space!
Related reading:
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- DJI Osmo Pocket 4 review – the best vlogging camera perfected?
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