DJI drones will be banned in the US next month. Here are the DJI Black Friday deals this year – probably the last chance to get a DJI drone in the US:
Additional information on the DJI drone ban:
A federal ban on DJI drones in the US is set to trigger on December 23, 2025, unless a designated national security agency (such as the Office of the Director of National Intelligence) completes a mandated security audit beforehand. This deadline stems from Section 1709 of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), passed by Congress in December 2024. If the audit doesn’t happen, DJI (along with fellow Chinese manufacturer Autel Robotics) will be added to the FCC’s “Covered List,” prohibiting the import, sale, and FCC certification of new DJI products. Existing drones owned by consumers and businesses would likely remain usable, but repairs, parts, and software updates could become challenging.
State-level restrictions are already in place in some areas. For example, Florida implemented a ban on DJI drones for government use in 2024, leading to the seizure of equipment worth over $200 million and a switch to pricier US-made alternatives. Similar restrictions exist in states like Arkansas and Mississippi for public agencies, often driven by the same federal concerns.
Reasons for the Potential Ban
- Data Privacy and Espionage Risks: Fears that DJI drones could transmit sensitive flight data, images, or videos back to China via backdoors, enabling surveillance. This echoes restrictions on other Chinese tech companies, such as Huawei.
- Forced Labor and Subsidies: Accusations that DJI benefits from unfair state subsidies and supply chains involving forced labor in Xinjiang.
- Military/Combat Use: Claims that DJI tech could be repurposed for warfare, though DJI counters that it has never marketed military products and actively discourages combat applications.
DJI disputes these, emphasizing features like “Local Data Mode” (which disables internet connectivity) and offering full access for independent audits. The company argues the restrictions are politically motivated, benefiting U.S. competitors like Skydio (which holds only 5-10% market share) by creating a $1-2 billion domestic opportunity at the expense of innovation and affordability.
More Black Friday deals can be found here:
BLACK FRIDAY
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