DJI responds to US drone blacklist decision

After the US government moved to effectively block new foreign-made drones from entering the American market, DJI has spoken out, pushing back on the decision and stressing that current customers and ongoing operations remain unaffected.

In a statement released after the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) added foreign-made drones and critical components to its “Covered List,” DJI told DroneDJ it was “disappointed” by the move, noting that the company itself was not singled out and that no details have been shared about the evidence or analysis used to reach the determination.

That lack of transparency, DJI argues, is a major concern.

DJI says US blacklist decision lacks evidence and clarity

“While DJI was not singled out, no information has been released regarding what information was used by the Executive Branch in reaching its determination,” a company spokesperson said.

DJI has long maintained that concerns around its drones — particularly claims tied to data security and national security risks — have never been supported by concrete evidence. In its response, the company doubled down on that position, saying its products are “among the safest and most secure on the market,” backed by years of reviews from US government agencies and independent third parties.

“Concerns about DJI’s data security have not been grounded in evidence and instead reflect protectionism,” DJI said, framing the move as a departure from open-market principles rather than a measured security response.

That language underscores a frustration DJI has voiced repeatedly over the years: that despite audits, code reviews, and government testing, the company has never received a clear pathway to fully resolve US security concerns. Instead, critics say, DJI has watched the clock run out as regulatory pressure steadily mounted.

New: DJI Mic 3 fixes Mac transfer issues, gets first discount

In a press conference on Tuesday, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said:

China firmly opposes the US overstretching the concept of national security and making discriminatory lists to go after Chinese companies. The US should stop its wrong practice and create a fair, just, and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese companies.

What the new restriction actually does

It’s important to separate the headlines from the reality on the ground.

The FCC’s action does not ground DJI drones already flying in the US. It does not prevent consumers, businesses, or public safety agencies from continuing to use DJI drones they already own. It also does not stop retailers from selling DJI drone models that were approved before the new determination took effect. This includes everything from the currently marked-down Mini 3 and Mini 4 Pro to the indoor-friendly Flip and Avata 2 FPV drone.

In plain terms: if you already own a DJI drone, nothing changes today. You can keep flying it. You can keep buying accessories. You can keep operating under the same FAA rules as before.

What does change is the future pipeline. New DJI drones, as well as their spare parts, cannot receive the FCC authorization required to be imported and sold in the US unless national security agencies specifically clear them.

That’s why clearly stating that DJI is now “effectively banned” from launching new drones in the US isn’t hyperbole. Without equipment authorization, there’s no legal path for new products to enter the market.

Related: DJI rushes FCC approval for Avata 360 drone before US ban

That said, the door is not fully locked either. According to the FCC, new products could be approved in the future if the Department of Defense or the Department of Homeland Security determines that a specific drone or class of drones does not pose an unacceptable risk.

That carve-out matters. It means the policy is not a blanket, permanent prohibition written into law — but it also places the burden squarely on national security agencies to act, something DJI and its supporters argue has been missing for years.

For now, that uncertainty leaves US drone buyers in limbo when it comes to future DJI releases.

But in its statement, DJI made a point of reassuring its existing US customers, repeating that the US government action “will not affect customers who already own DJI products” and that “these existing products can continue to be purchased and operated as usual.”

The company also struck a more emotional tone, thanking US users who have publicly defended DJI amid growing political scrutiny.

“We are deeply grateful to users across the country who spoke up to share how DJI technology supports their work and their communities,” DJI said, adding that it remains committed to the US market and will continue to update customers as more information becomes available.

That message appears aimed not just at hobbyists, but at first responders, construction firms, inspectors, filmmakers, and farmers who rely on DJI drones daily, and who have repeatedly warned lawmakers that removing DJI from the market could increase costs and reduce capabilities.

Pressure is shifting from manufacturers to users

But even as existing drones remain legal, the spotlight is already moving beyond manufacturers.

Recent congressional scrutiny of companies including Bechtel, Hensel Phelps, and Brasfield & Gorrie shows how quickly attention is shifting toward who is using DJI drones — especially when federal funding, critical infrastructure, or national security interests are involved.

That’s where the next phase of this story may unfold. While individual consumers are unlikely to face scrutiny, federal contractors and infrastructure companies could find themselves under pressure to rethink their drone fleets, regardless of legality.

For now, DJI drones aren’t being grounded, seized, or switched off. But the message from Washington is unmistakable: the era of new DJI drones entering the US freely is over, and what comes next will depend less on pilots and more on politics.

More: DJI faces US drone dead end, but it’s still winning imaging wars