67% of American drone businesses under closure threat

Tech giant DJI has outlined the significant and immediate repercussions that denying access to their drones via the “Countering CCP Drones Act” will have on people across the United States.

The Countering CCP Drones Act aims to prevent operators from buying the latest DJI drones — and may also potentially ground existing fleets, regardless of how operators use them — because it would prohibit DJI from operating on US communications infrastructure. The US House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously passed this bill on March 20.

DJI recently provided a detailed response to this legislation, highlighting that the government’s focus should be on developing a set of industry standards or guidelines that raise the bar on security for all manufacturers, and not target innovators simply because of their country of origin. Now, the company is explaining how the bill does not discuss what the proposed restrictions would mean for countless drone users across the US.

DJI drones are used by a range of operators — from hobbyists and small businesses to companies in fields as diverse as agriculture and construction, to filmmaking and research. These drones are also widely used by public safety agencies and first responders to keep communities safe. Here’s what a ban would mean for these users:

• The majority of US small drone businesses would be forced to shut down

A recent survey by the Drone Service Providers Alliance found that restrictions like those proposed in the Countering CCP Drones Act could lead to the closure of 67% of American small drone businesses, including those who directly use drones in their work as well as those who sell drones, develop drone software or provide drone services to clients in industries like construction or insurance. In addition, it would severely disrupt the drone market in the US. Operators scrambling to find alternatives would lead to product shortages and higher costs for all users.

• DJI drone ban would put lives at risk

DJI drones are used by first responders across the country for their unique and essential missions, from responding to 911 calls to finding missing children to keeping officers safe during SWAT situations. If public safety agencies can no longer access these tools, they lose access to critical situational awareness in these high-stakes situations, risking American lives.

DJI says:

Congress should not base drone policymaking on fear-mongering statements that have no basis in fact, especially not while ignoring the evidence and the real-world impact and stories of those who would be hurt by the Countering CCP Drones Act. Forging ahead with this bill in the face of its very clear and dire consequences, just because of the drones’ country of manufacture, is nothing more than geopolitically-driven xenophobia.   

How to oppose the Countering CCP Drones Act as a drone user

If you want to tell your lawmakers to oppose the bill that could potentially cripple the drone industry, use these tools offered by the Drone Advocacy Alliance, a non-partisan, drone-agnostic coalition that’s working to ensure that the voices of drone users are heard.

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