- A DJI ban in the US could happen next month
- December 23 is a key date for the ban process
- DJI has issued an urgent update on efforts to circumvent the ban.
If you’ve been following the news about DJI, you’ll know that there have been concerns about their products being banned in the US for several years. Next month, that ban could finally happen, and DJI has now released an update on the situation.
In a new blog post, DJI highlighted the crucial deadline of Tuesday, December 23, 2025. That’s the date DJI will be added to what the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) knows as the “Covered List.” Once that happens, DJI says “we will no longer be able to launch new products in the United States.” This is expected to “affect all DJI products,” DJI says, and not just drones.
The only way DJI can avoid being included on this list is to pass a safety audit, but no such audit has been performed and, in fact, no government agency has even been assigned to handle it. With just a month to go, it seems unlikely to happen.
“DJI has repeatedly and publicly requested a fair, transparent and timely audit, but, to our knowledge, the process has not begun,” the blog post explains. “DJI could face a market ban without any review or due process, not because of any wrongdoing, but because of a legislative gap and continued government inaction.” But what does all this mean for your DJI technology?
What about current DJI devices?
If you’re already using DJI drones and cameras in the US, no one is coming to take them away from you. However, the ban could eventually lead to DJI being unable to issue software updates for its products in the US, or mean restrictions are placed on the connectivity of those products at some point later.
DJI says that “even if DJI were added to the FCC Covered List, you would still be able to use your current DJI equipment.” However, the Chinese company added that “a listing could block future purchases of DJI products, even those already on US shelves.” Worryingly. That means that “while its current drones will continue to function, future product availability and upgrades could be at risk,” DJI added.
Another unknown is whether DJI devices that have already been launched in the US will be removed from sale: it is something that US authorities would have the power to do, but greater public consultation would be required. Right now, we simply don’t know what will happen to the devices already sold.
This is all because the US government suspects DJI of having ties to the Chinese military, something DJI strongly denies. The current US administration is currently busy examining many different types of technology developed outside its borders, including TikTok, of course.
DJI says it will continue to fight a US ban and is pushing for an extension of the December 23 deadline. It also encourages users to contact US lawmakers and make their voices heard, which you can do by following this link.
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