Priya PatelThe FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have jointly released a report warning US firms about the cyber threats posed by Chinese-made drones, including those manufactured by DJI. The report, titled “Cybersecurity Guidance: Chinese-Manufactured UAS,” states that the Chinese government’s ability to access and control data held by Chinese firms is a significant national security concern. It recommends that American firms operating within critical infrastructure sectors take steps to safeguard against the risks presented by Chinese-made UAS. The release of the report follows requests from 16 lawmakers for an investigation into DJI’s activities in the US and the security risks associated with them. The report does not provide specific evidence of espionage but outlines the conditions in China that could allow the Chinese government to acquire sensitive data.
US lawmakers have previously called for restrictions on Chinese-made drones and the recently approved defence policy bill bans the procurement and use of drones made in China or Russia at a federal level. A bill introduced by Representatives Elise Stefanik and Mike Gallagher seeks to extend these restrictions at state and local levels. The FBI and CISA report, while lacking any legal standing, could affect opinions on DJI and other foreign manufacturers within Congress and the drone industry. There is an ongoing debate in the US over the risks posed by Chinese-made UAS and the possible trade-offs associated with their banning.
