DJI sues the FCC for “carelessly” restricting its drones

February 25, 2026
DJI sues the FCC for “carelessly” restricting its drones

Here's something that caught my attention — DJI is actually suing the FCC over a ban that’s blocking their drones from entering the US market. So, why does this matter? Well, DJI’s the biggest name in consumer drones, and now they’re pushing back against a government decision they see as careless. According to Scharon Harding from Ars Technica, the FCC added DJI to its 'Covered List,' claiming their equipment poses a security risk. But DJI argues that this move is unfair and based on shaky evidence. They’ve filed a petition in the Ninth Circuit Court, basically saying, ‘Hey, this isn’t right, and you need to reconsider.’ And get this — DJI points out that the ban hits not just their sales, but the wider drone industry, stifling innovation and competition. As Harding reports, the fight isn’t just about drones; it’s about who gets to decide what’s safe — and on what basis. So, keep an eye on this legal battle — what’s at stake could reshape how the US handles foreign tech moving forward.

DJI, the most popular consumer drone maker, is suing over the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s import ban against new, foreign-made drones, which has been in effect since December 23, 2025.

On Tuesday, the Shenzhen-headquartered company filed a petition [PDF] with the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit that seeks to overturn the FCC’s decision to list DJI on its Covered List. The Covered List includes communications equipment and services that are "deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States or the security and safety of United States persons,” per the FCC.

In its petition dated February 20, 2026, DJI said:

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Audio Transcript

DJI, the most popular consumer drone maker, is suing over the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s import ban against new, foreign-made drones, which has been in effect since December 23, 2025.

On Tuesday, the Shenzhen-headquartered company filed a petition [PDF] with the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit that seeks to overturn the FCC’s decision to list DJI on its Covered List. The Covered List includes communications equipment and services that are "deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States or the security and safety of United States persons,” per the FCC.

In its petition dated February 20, 2026, DJI said:

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