US may ban follow ‘India’s ban’ on another Chinese technology giant – Times of India

In November 2022, India banned the import of drones, a move that effectively blocked the Indian market for the world’s biggest drone maker — China’s SZ DJI Technology Co. Now it seems US is set to follow this ‘ban’ on the Chinese drone company. If goes through this will be second big Chinese company banned in India that US too may ban after potential TikTok ban.
The Chinese short video app company TikTok is fighting a survival battle in the US. Last week, an appellate panel upheld the law banning Tiktok, concluding that it didn’t infringe on free speech protections under the Constitution’s First Amendment. The court said that the government appeared to be justified in its concerns that China could use the app to gather information on US citizens or to push propaganda. The law is set to take effect on January 19, a day before Trump is inaugurated.

Drones from DJI and Autel Robotics pose national security risk

Now a report by news agency Reuters claims that the US House of Representatives is poised to vote on a military bill that could ban the sale of new drones from China-based DJI and Autel Robotics in the United States. The legislation mandates a one-year security review of these companies’ products, and if no agency completes the assessment, a default ban will be imposed. The 1,800-page bill says a national security agency must determine within one year if drones from DJI or Autel Robotics pose unacceptable national security risks.
DJI, the world’s leading drone manufacturer, has expressed concerns about the potential ban, arguing that it could unfairly target Chinese companies. The company has proactively submitted its products for independent security audits and implemented enhanced privacy controls.
Autel Robotics, another major Chinese drone maker, has also faced scrutiny from US lawmakers. Last year, a bipartisan group called for an investigation into the company’s potential security risks.
The US government’s growing concerns over Chinese drones stem from fears of data transmission, surveillance, and national security threats. DJI has consistently denied these allegations.
In recent months, the US has taken several steps to restrict Chinese drones, including a potential ban on new DJI drones and a Commerce Department review of broader restrictions. Additionally, DJI is currently suing the Defense Department over its inclusion on a list of companies allegedly linked to the Chinese military.