The drone world is currently a mess of anxiety and legislative jargon. If you've spent more than five minutes on a drone forum lately, you've seen the panic. People are asking: Is my Mavic 3 going to turn into a paperweight? Can I still fly my Air 3 for my real estate photography business? Much of this confusion stems from the phrase "FCC Covered List" and how it relates to DJI.
Right now, if you go look at the official FCC Covered List, you won’t actually see DJI’s name on there—yet. That sounds like good news, but it’s a bit more complicated than a simple "yes" or "no." The Covered List, which is officially known as the "List of Equipment and Services Covered by Section 2 of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019," currently features companies like Huawei and ZTE.
Being on that list is a death sentence for a tech company in the United States. It basically means their equipment cannot be authorized for use or imported. For a brand that controls over 70% of the global drone market, landing on that list would be seismic.
The Real State of DJI and the FCC Covered List
Let’s get the facts straight. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) manages a specific list of communications equipment that poses an "unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States." As of early 2026, the legislative battle over DJI is centered on the Countering CCP Drones Act. This is the specific piece of legislation that seeks to force DJI onto that FCC Covered List.
The bill, championed by Representative Elise Stefanik and others, argues that DJI's ties to the Chinese government and the data collected by these drones represent a surveillance risk. They aren't just worried about your photos of a sunset in Malibu. The concern is about "pattern of life" data, infrastructure mapping, and the potential for the Chinese government to compel DJI to hand over information under their 2017 National Intelligence Law.
DJI has fought back hard. They've spent millions on lobbying and public relations campaigns to explain that they don't have access to your flight logs unless you voluntarily sync them. They even introduced "Local Data Mode" years ago to cut the drone off from the internet entirely. But in D.C., the technical reality often takes a backseat to geopolitical posturing.
The legislative process is slow. It’s a grind. We’ve seen the bill pass the House as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), only to face different hurdles in the Senate.
Why the Covered List is Different from the Entity List
You might be thinking, "Wait, I thought they were already banned?"
There is a huge difference between the Department of Commerce Entity List and the FCC Covered List. DJI has been on the Entity List since 2020. That list restricts U.S. companies from exporting technology to DJI. It’s why you don’t see DJI drones using certain American-made chips or software. It didn't stop DJI from selling drones in the U.S., it just made their supply chain more annoying.
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The FCC Covered List is the nuclear option. If DJI is added, the FCC would be prohibited from issuing new equipment authorizations for their products. Because every drone needs an FCC ID to operate its radio frequencies legally in the U.S., a spot on the Covered List would effectively ban the sale of any new DJI models.
Existing drones are a massive gray area. Some versions of the proposed legislation suggest a "revocation" of existing authorizations. That’s the nightmare scenario. It would mean that the drone you bought last year could suddenly become illegal to operate because its radio license was revoked.
The Impact on Public Safety and Commercial Pilots
It’s not just hobbyists. Thousands of police departments and search-and-rescue teams across the country rely on DJI’s Enterprise line, like the Matrice 30T or the Mavic 3 Thermal. Honestly, these agencies are in a tough spot. They have limited budgets and DJI offers the best "bang for your buck" by a wide margin.
American-made alternatives exist—Skydio, Freefly, and Teal, for example—but they are often significantly more expensive or lack the specific features (like high-res thermal sensors or 40-minute flight times) that DJI has mastered. If the fcc covered list dji transition happens abruptly, first responders might lose their most effective tools overnight.
I’ve talked to pilots who are terrified of the "rip and replace" cost. Imagine a small-town police department that spent $50,000 on a fleet of drones. If those drones are banned, where does the money for the replacements come from? The federal government has offered some "Rip and Replace" funding for telecommunications companies to swap out Huawei gear, but there is no guarantee a similar fund would exist for drone pilots.
The Data Security Argument: Fact vs. Fiction
Is DJI actually spying on you?
That's the million-dollar question. Independent audits from firms like FTI Consulting and Booz Allen Hamilton have, at various times, found that while there were some vulnerabilities (as there are in almost any complex software), there was no evidence of data being sent to China without user consent.
However, the Department of Defense (DoD) remains unconvinced. They released a memo years ago stating that DJI systems pose a threat to national security. Since then, we’ve seen the "Blue UAS" program emerge—a list of approved, vetted drones for government use. Not a single DJI drone is on that list.
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The crux of the issue isn't what DJI is doing; it's what they could be forced to do. Under Chinese law, if the state asks for data, a company must provide it. Even if DJI wants to protect your privacy, they might not have a legal choice in their home country. This is the logic driving the push to put them on the FCC Covered List.
What Happens to Your Current Drone?
If the law passes and DJI officially lands on the Covered List tomorrow, your drone won't spontaneously combust. It will still physically fly. The question is whether it will be legal to fly.
Usually, these types of regulations have a "grandfather" clause. This allows people who already own the equipment to keep using it until the end of its natural life cycle, while banning any future sales. But the current political climate is aggressive. Some lawmakers want a total freeze.
Even if there isn't a total ban, we're already seeing a "soft ban" through insurance. Some major insurance carriers are starting to get twitchy about DJI. If they think the hardware might become illegal or unsupported, they might stop offering hull and liability coverage for DJI platforms. For professional pilots, no insurance means no work.
The Rise of the "NDAA Compliant" Drone
Because of the looming threat of the FCC Covered List, we are seeing a massive shift in the market. "NDAA Compliant" is the new buzzword. You'll see it on every website selling Autel, Anafi, or Skydio. It basically means the drone doesn't use prohibited Chinese components and is safe for use by government contractors and federal agencies.
If you are a commercial pilot looking to buy a new rig right now, you have a hard decision to make. Do you buy the DJI Mavic 3 Pro—which is objectively the best camera drone for the money—and risk it being banned? Or do you spend twice as much on a "compliant" drone that might not have the same flight performance?
It's a gamble.
Actionable Steps for Drone Owners
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the news cycle, you aren't alone. The situation is fluid, and 2026 is shaping up to be a turning point for the industry. Here is what you should actually do right now to protect your investment.
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1. Diversify Your Fleet
If you run a business, don't be a 100% DJI shop anymore. It’s too risky. Start integrating at least one NDAA-compliant drone into your workflow. Get used to the software and the flight characteristics of other brands. If a ban hits, you won't be starting from zero.
2. Practice Data Hygiene
Whether or not you trust DJI, it’s good practice to keep your flight data private.
- Use "Local Data Mode" on the DJI Fly or Pilot 2 app.
- Avoid syncing your flight logs to the cloud.
- Use a dedicated tablet or phone for flying that doesn't contain sensitive personal information or work emails.
- Keep your firmware updated, as DJI occasionally releases patches for discovered vulnerabilities.
3. Stay Informed via Official Channels
Stop getting your news solely from clickbait YouTube thumbnails. Follow the official FCC website and watch for updates on the Countering CCP Drones Act (H.R. 2864). Also, keep an eye on the Drone Advocacy Alliance. They are one of the few groups actually lobbying on behalf of pilots to ensure that any security measures are balanced with the needs of the drone community.
4. Evaluate Your Insurance Policy
Read the fine print. Contact your drone insurance provider and ask them directly: "If DJI is added to the FCC Covered List, will my policy remain valid?" Get their answer in writing. If they sound non-committal, start looking for a broker who specializes in aviation and understands the current legislative landscape.
5. Consider the Resale Value
The resale market for DJI drones is currently stable, but that could change in a heartbeat. If you were planning on selling your old Air 2S to upgrade, do it sooner rather than later. If a formal ban is announced, the used market will likely be flooded with people trying to offload their gear, driving prices through the floor.
The reality is that DJI changed the world by making high-end aerial photography accessible to everyone. But the geopolitical reality of 2026 is different from 2016. National security concerns are now the primary driver of tech policy. Whether you agree with it or not, the inclusion of DJI on the FCC Covered List is a "when," not an "if," for many in Washington.
Prepare your business and your hobby for a post-DJI landscape. It doesn't mean you have to stop flying today, but it does mean you shouldn't be caught off guard when the rules finally change. Be smart, stay legal, and keep your eyes on the horizon.