In less than six months, a provision of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) could force one of the most widely used drone manufacturers in the world, DJI, off the U.S. market. For American drone pilots who rely on DJI as a source of affordable camera drones, the consequences could be devastating.
Sure, those two recent executive orders from the Trump administration (one largely focused on airspace security and the other on BVLOS drone flights) have been applauded for streamlining drone regulations and boosting domestic innovation, neither addressed the elephant in the room: a potentially automatic ban on DJI products. That could kick in if a long-promised security review remains unfinished by the end of 2025.
What is the 2025 NDAA deadline?
The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (2025 NDAA), passed in December 2024, did not outright ban DJI drones (as some initially feared, based on what the House initially passed in June 2024).
But there’s a chance that it could ban DJI drones anyway. That’s because the 2025 NDAA included language requiring a national security agency to conduct a formal review of drones manufactured in China (which would include DJI and Autel drones, among others).
The stated goal of that review was to evaluate any potential threats posed by Chinese-made drones and inform evidence-based decisions about continued access to these products.
But as DJI noted in an open letter dated June 6, 2025, that security review still hasn’t started — despite the legislation passing more than six months ago. If no agency takes up the task and completes it by the 2025 NDAA deadline in December, DJI says the law may trigger an automatic ban on DJI drones. And such a ban would not be a result of a negative security finding, but simply due to bureaucratic inaction.
“If no agency steps forward and completes the review… the NDAA provision could trigger an automatic ban on DJI—through no fault of our own,” according to that blog post.
What a ban on DJI drones would mean for U.S. drone pilots
DJI drones dominate the U.S. market thanks to their reliability, affordability and ease of use. For thousands of small businesses — from real estate photographers to roofing inspectors to wedding videographers — DJI’s cost-effective drones make professional-grade aerial work possible.
A ban would effectively force operators to turn to DJI alternatives that are often significantly more expensive or technically inferior. American-made drones, while growing in capability, frequently come with a higher price tag, making them inaccessible to budget-conscious businesses.
That economic impact would ripple across industries. Emergency responders, agricultural producers, and construction managers who depend on DJI drones for their efficiency and advanced capabilities would suddenly face operational hurdles or be priced out altogether. Even government agencies could struggle, as detailed by this report from the U.S. Department of Interior.
As DJI’s letter about the 2025 NDAA deadline puts it:
“Thousands of businesses, public safety officials, farmers, entrepreneurs, and others would be cut off from essential tools… The ripple effects would extend across the U.S. economy, threatening jobs, stalling innovation, and undermining public safety capabilities.”
DJI’s security track record: Audits, controls, and transparency
Critics often cite cybersecurity concerns when calling for restrictions on DJI drones. For what it’s worth DJI has gone to great lengths to address those concerns. Especially in recent years, it has worked to exceed what regulations require.
Since 2017, DJI has implemented robust privacy features like Local Data Mode, which cuts all network connections during flight, and continues to enhance its cybersecurity offerings. And just this year, DJI launched something called FlightHub 2 On-Premises. That product allows organizations to store and manage all flight data on their own internal servers, ensuring that no data leaves the premises.
“Privacy isn’t an add-on, but a core part of our offering to customers,” DJI stated in a whitepaper about its data security efforts. “Whether you’re flying for fun… or coordinating disaster response, you deserve clarity and control over how your data is managed.”
DJI claims to have repeatedly expressed willingness to participate in a transparent review with the U.S. government. But without a designated agency to initiate and conduct this process, the company — and its many users with — remain in limbo.
Politics, policy, and the path ahead
For years, largely Republican lawmakers have attempted to restrict or ban Chinese-made drones, citing national security concerns. Bills like the American Security Drone Act and various state-level procurement bans have targeted DJI by name or country of origin.
Some efforts have succeeded: Many federal agencies are prohibited from purchasing Chinese-made drones under certain procurement rules. Several states have banned DJI drones for public safety or government use. But broader attempts at an outright consumer ban have largely failed. Still, a ban could be imminent.
What drone pilots can do now ahead of the 2025 NDAA deadline
If you rely on DJI drones (or just don’t want to see a DJI drone ban), your voice matters. DJI urges operators to contact elected officials and share how their technology supports local communities, grows businesses, and enhances safety.
The Drone Advocacy Alliance, which is a drone advocacy organization heavily supported by DJI, offers a centralized platform to send letters.
The post The clock is ticking: What the 2025 NDAA deadline means for U.S. drone pilots appeared first on The Drone Girl.
