12/23/2025
I am writing this post to clear up misinformation and answer questions about the so-called "drone ban" which is the subject of numerous news reports today. This is the result of the FCC's decision to update the "Covered List" to include UAS (AKA drones) and UAS critical components (such as batteries) produced abroad. These drones are widely used by public safety agencies to conduct life saving missions.
Many of my customers are panicking, due mainly to faulty reporting. Many have been led to believe that their drones will stop working or will be illegal to use. This is false.
1. If you already own a DJI, Autel or other drone covered under this decision, it will continue to operate as normal.
2. You can still purchase and use drones which are already approved and sold in the US.
3. Autel drones are manufactured in Vietnam. Autel's supply chain has been uninterrupted or affected by tariffs.
The action, inaccurately referred to as a ban, will prevent future product releases and innovations from being introduced into the US market by denying them the required FCC communications certificate.
"today’s decision does not impact a consumer’s ability to continue using drones they previously purchased or acquired. Nor does today’s decision prevent retailers from continuing to sell, import, or market device models approved earlier this year or previously through the FCC’s equipment authorization process. By operation of the FCC’s Covered List rules, the restrictions imposed by today’s decision apply to new device models."
The FFC has placed Chinese drone manufacturers on what is called the "covered list" based on allegations of cybersecurity threats. Items on the covered list would be denied an FCC communication certificate which is required for remote control and communications to operate on US airwaves.
Last year the National Defense Act added a requirement that Chinese drones be subjected to a security audit. If the results of the audit proved a cyber security threat they would be added to the covered list. If no audit was conducted it would be assumed these devices are a threat. No government agency conducted a security audit therefore popular manufacturers like DJI, Autel and others were automatically added to the list.
I am opposed to this action.
1. It stifles innovation and competition.
2.It enacts broad regulation and restrictions without corresponding evidence.
3. The covered list, perhaps unintentionally, includes components such as batteries. Since US drone manufacturers still rely heavily on batteries and battery components from China, we could expect supply chain interruptions that would stifle US drone manufacturing.
As a retired police officer and forensic investigator, I know something about cybersecurity. Manufacturers, drone pilots and business owners like myself have been calling for a security audit because we know the results would not support the FCC's decision. Our requests have either been ignored or denied. I believe that if a security audit had been completed it would have refuted concerns of these cybersecurity threats.
I have found this to be a bi-partisan issue and have been unable to find any elected official willing to support a security audit.
I have been in business for 10 years and in that time I have documented thousands of lives saved by drones. It's frustrating to see this incredible technology stifled.
Source:https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-416839A1.pdf
https://dronexl.co/2025/12/23/fcc-banned-foreign-drone-batteries-china/
https://dronedj.com/2025/12/22/dji-drone-us-fcc-ban/
