FCC bans all new models of foreign made drones, cameras, and other devices

National security concerns have led the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to institute a new ban on Chinese drones.

On Monday, the FCC announced that it will be “adding uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and their critical components made in China and other foreign countries to its ‘covered list’ that features equipment that has been determined to pose an ‘unacceptable risk’ to U.S. national security and the safety of Americans,” Fox News reported.

Look:

The FCC just banned all new models of foreign made drones, cameras, and other devices. According to President Trump, ‘criminals, terrorists, and hostile foreign actors have intensified their weaponization of these technologies, creating new and serious threats to our homeland’. pic.twitter.com/wp6bpM0aRN

— Mike Moloney (@moloneymike) December 23, 2025

This will prevent the listed parts from being “sold or imported in the U.S.,” but does not affect technology that is already currently in the country.

Concerns stem from the security of significant world events taking place in the United States, such as the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics, with allegations that allowing the parts “undermines the resiliency of our UAS industrial base, increases the risk to our national airspace, and creates a potential for large-scale attacks during large gatherings.”

“Criminals, terrorists, and hostile foreign actors have intensified their weaponization of these technologies, creating new and serious threats to our homeland,” said the FCC.

Two Chinese companies, DJI and Autel, targeted by the notice have expressed that they are “disappointed” by the FCC’s decision, saying that “no information has been released regarding what information was used” to come to the conclusion.

“Concerns about DJI’s data security have not been grounded in evidence and instead reflect protectionism, contrary to the principles of an open market,” their statement reads.

However, the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party fully supports the move as they say it “will help safeguard our national security, protect the American people, and wind down the unacceptable national security threat posed by DJI and other Chinese drones.”

“Taken together with the Administration’s recent executive actions to accelerate domestic drone commercialization, this sends an unmistakable signal to American industry: The U.S. is open for drone innovation—and American manufacturing will be rewarded,” the committee’s X post reads. “Taken together with the Administration’s recent executive actions to accelerate domestic drone commercialization, this sends an unmistakable signal to American industry: The U.S. is open for drone innovation—and American manufacturing will be rewarded.”

But one group that may see the benefit of this action is American drone manufacturers such as Hylio. The company’s CEO and co-founder, Arthur Erickson, told The Associated Press that “the departure of DJI would provide more opportunity for American companies like his to grow. He said new investments are coming in to help him boost production of spray drones, which farmers use to fertilize their fields, and it will bring down prices,” Fox News reported.

However, he also noted that it was “crazy” to include all kinds of foreign-made components, and argued that this should be addressed.

“The way it’s written is a blanket statement. There’s a global-allied supply chain. I hope they will clarify that,” he said.

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