Official announcements from U.S. government agencies or legislative actions

DJI Disables U.S. Geofencing, Allowing 600,000 Drones Over White House, Capitol on Inauguration Eve

Jan 14, 2025, 02:04 AM

DJI, the world's largest drone manufacturer based in China, has disabled U.S. geofencing on its drones, allowing flights over restricted areas such as airports, military bases, and no-fly zones. This change, effective from January 13, 2025, was announced by DJI as an effort to put 'control back in the hands of the drone operators.' The move comes at a time when the U.S. government is considering a ban on Chinese drones due to security concerns, with DJI representing a significant portion of the global drone market. The disabling of geofencing has raised concerns about potential security risks, especially given the proximity to the presidential inauguration. There are over 600,000 DJI drones currently flying in the USA, and with this update, they can now fly over sensitive areas like the White House, the National Mall, and Capitol Hill, which has heightened tensions on the eve of the inauguration.