Chinese drones next on the chopping block, US Commerce Dept says

The US Commerce Department said on Thursday that it is proposing new restrictions and even a possible ban on Chinese and Russian drones, citing the “unacceptable risk” to national security due to the foreign technology used to make them.

The move comes after weeks of hundreds of unexplained drone sightings have been peppering the Northeast – without much explanation or answers from the US government about their origin.

It now appears citizens, conspiracy theorists, and lawmakers alike – all questioning the safety and security of the unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) as they swoop over residential neighborhoods, critical infrastructure, and the Atlantic coastline – may finally have their say.

The US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced the advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to restrict certain drones from being imported into the US and wants the public to weigh in on the matter by March 4th.

The Pentagon declared on December 11th – almost a month into the sightings – that it did not “see any concern for public safety,” but it's unclear if this new development to possibly ban Chinese-made drones is connected.

With the rapid development of advanced technology, commercial drones are now commonplace across the United States, a vast majority of them coming from China, the announcement stated.

“Securing the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) technology supply chain is critical to safeguarding our national security. This ANPRM is an essential step in protecting the United States from vulnerabilities posed by foreign entities,” said US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

The restrictions are necessary to ensure the safety of “critical US technologies and data,” said Elizabeth Cannon, Executive Director of the Office of Information and Communications Technology and Services (OICTS).

According to BIS, it may be possible for foreign adversaries, such as China and Russia, to “remotely access and manipulate these devices, exposing sensitive US data.”

Feedback sought by the public includes topics such as the definitions of UAS and components, what supply chain transactions could pose a risk to national security, and the economic impact the regulations could have on certain companies.

US: Chinese tech is a threat

The US Commerce Department has focused on reigning in the amount of Chinese technology used and imported into the US over the past few years.

Secretary Raimondo has said the UAS restrictions would focus on the chips and software used in the drones, and be similar to another rule she hopes to have passed by the end of January restricting the import or sale of connected cars in the US that use Chinese or Russian technology.

Lawmakers in Washington have also gone after the Chinese drone maker DJI after it was discovered last spring that its drone software was riddled with serious security vulnerabilities. Researchers found users could modify crucial identification details and even bring down the devices remotely while in flight.

The Shenzhen-based DJI, which has since patched any exploitable vulnerabilities, filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Defense (DoD) in October after it was “banned from contracting with multiple federal government agencies.”

Considered one of the world’s largest drone makers, the company claims it has been “stigmatized” by the US government for linking the company directly to the Chinese government as a national security threat.

In a possible retaliatory move, also on Thursday, the Chinese government imposed sanctions on 28 US companies (mostly defense and tech), including BRINC, the largest American drone maker. Additionally, in October, Beijing sanctioned Skydio, another American drone manufacturer.

The Pentagon had previously been banned from buying or using Chinese made drones and components by Washington since 2019.