The U.S. Congress is currently advancing the "Countering CCP Drones Act," which targets Chinese-made drones, specifically those produced by DJI, due to concerns over national security. The bill recently passed in the House of Representatives and is now under review in the Senate. If enacted, it would ban new DJI drones from being sold or operated in the U.S., primarily by adding them to the Federal Communications Commission’s Covered List. This action stems from worries about the potential for these drones to be used for surveillance by the Chinese government, given DJI's ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
This legislation could significantly impact industries reliant on drones, especially public safety sectors such as law enforcement, firefighting, and search and rescue teams, which widely use DJI drones. To mitigate these effects, there is also a proposal to offer grants to help first responders replace their DJI drones with alternatives. However, experts warn that without suitable replacements, banning DJI drones could hurt critical operations in the short term.
The debate around the bill highlights the tension between national security concerns and the practical benefits these drones offer to various sectors in the U.S.【6】【7】【9】.
WHAT IS THE COUNTERING CCP DRONES ACT ?
The Countering CCP Drones Act is a legislative measure introduced in the U.S. Congress aimed at banning drones manufactured by Chinese companies, particularly DJI, which is the leading producer of drones globally. The primary concern driving this bill is national security, as U.S. lawmakers believe that drones from companies with ties to the Chinese government could be used for espionage and surveillance within the United States.
Key aspects of the act include:
Banning DJI drones: The bill seeks to add DJI to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Covered List, which would prohibit these drones from being sold, operated, or integrated with U.S. communications infrastructure.
National security concerns: Advocates for the bill argue that DJI’s close ties to the Chinese Communist Party and the use of its technology pose significant risks. They claim that these drones could potentially be used to gather sensitive data or even assist in Chinese military operations(DroneXL.co)(Congress.gov | Library of Congress).
Impact on first responders: Many law enforcement, fire, and rescue departments in the U.S. rely on DJI drones for critical tasks. To address the immediate impact, lawmakers have proposed a grant program to help these organizations transition to alternative, non-Chinese drone suppliers(PetaPixel)(DroneXL.co).
If passed, this legislation would drastically reshape the drone market in the U.S., pushing for the development and adoption of domestic drone technology as an alternative to Chinese-made devices.
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