Chinese drone maker DJI monitors US blacklist as it develops own tech
- A US warning on the security risks of Chinese-made drones has raised the spectre of DJI being placed under a trade ban
From a cramped room at a university dormitory in Hong Kong, SZ DJI Technology has grown to become the world largest drone maker, whose products are sold in more than 100 countries.
In recent years, however, DJI has joined a growing number of major Chinese technology companies portrayed by the US government as security threats with potential ties to Beijing’s intelligence sector. The US Army banned the use of drones from DJI in 2017 because of security concerns.
Earlier this week, the US Department of Homeland Security advised American companies about the inherent security risks associated with Chinese-made drones. Although the alert did not name a specific manufacturer, nearly 80 per cent of the drones used in the US and Canada are estimated to come from Shenzhen-based DJI.
In a related development, the US government was also reportedly considering placing Chinese surveillance systems providers, including Hikvision Digital Technology and Dahua Technology, on a trade blacklist that would cut off their access to American hi-tech suppliers.
“We do not have magic,” a DJI spokesman said on Thursday. “Like everyone else, we are carefully monitoring the ongoing negotiations between China and the US.”
He said DJI’s business “has not been materially impacted” by the two countries’ trade dispute.
