DJI will no longer stop drones from flying over airports, wildfires and the White HouseTransferring responsibility to US law enforcement to prevent some of the worst forms of drone abuse. Some are suggesting that the strange timing of that decision is political, coming just days, just weeks, before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. new jersey drone hysteriaand the days after A plane fighting the LA wildfire was shot down By DJI Drone. Some people even say that this is China plotting to retaliate against the United States tiktok banWhich seems like a stretch to me.
Somehow, DJI is now reacting to the whole situation An official blog post He claims that the timing is coincidental.
“We planned to roll out this update in the US months ago, but delayed implementation to ensure the update would work properly,” the company's unsigned blog post reads.
It also claims in bold letters that “Security related decisions at DJI are not based on politics,
“Suggesting that this update is related to the current political climate in the US is not only wrong but also dangerous,” the anonymous author of DJI writes.
Although the post includes many additional details about what is and isn't happening with the company's geofencing system, there's no disputing that DJI has removed the feature that was turned on by default for most Americans. Prevents drone pilots from flying. Airports, power plants, active wildfires, military bases and government buildings like the White House, apparently without exception,
If politics didn't motivate that decision, what did? The blog post says nothing at all. While it promises to offer “the true reasons behind this update,” it simply suggests that DJI has aligned itself with aviation regulators around the “principle of operator responsibility” and, less so. On the note, it states that its no fly zones have been created to avoid “missed opportunities, delayed operations, or unnecessary wait time” for pilots.
“This was particularly challenging for commercial operators, drone businesses – and most critically – public safety agencies performing life-saving work, where delays are absolutely unacceptable,” DJI writes.
It is true that DJI's geofencing system was created voluntarily by DJI and is not mandated by US regulators. “The FAA does not require geofencing from drone manufacturers,” FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said. The Verge.
But does removing strict geofencing make us safer, and did it cost DJI anything to keep it in place? We asked DJI the following questions:
- If politics didn't motivate this decision, what did?
- Were US regulators or representatives asking DJI to remove the no fly zone?
- Did removing them bring any financial benefit to DJI, or did retaining them cost DJI an opportunity cost?
- Was DJI technically unable to update its GEO system with official FAA data while maintaining a no fly zone?
- The blog post suggests that public safety agencies were experiencing delays in unlocking – are there specific instances where DJI unlocking delays caused a specific impact on life-saving work?
- How do removing no fly zones make drones safer?
We'll let you know how DJI responds.
Even though this decision has nothing to do with China, the company has very strong reasons to be on the radar of US regulators right now – It is currently facing a complete import ban of its drones and cameras in the United StatesUnless “an appropriate national security agency” publicly declares that its products do not pose an unacceptable national security risk.
Perhaps this move helps highlight how willingly DJI made its drones Less Keeping them away from critical facilities threatens national security. Perhaps DJI leaders believe the US will understand this only if it removes the feature.