The US Department of Interior (DOI) grounded its drone fleet due to apprehensions about potential Chinese spying, according to documents obtained by Al Jazeera. Despite internal warnings that such a ban could heighten security risks and impede wildfire-fighting efforts, the DOI implemented the ban on Chinese-made drones or those with Chinese components in October 2019. The ban, formalized in January 2020, affected the entire 810-strong drone fleet of the DOI. Concerns were raised about cybersecurity risks, reliance on contractors, and potential disruptions to firefighting preparations.
The DOI briefing revealed that officials expressed worry about the increased cybersecurity risks when resorting to contractors lacking the security specifications present in DOI’s drones. Additionally, concerns were raised about hampering wildfire-fighting efforts, including the inability to make planned drone purchases and conduct preparedness flights.
The DOI later acknowledged that the drone purchase cancellations impacted its ability to carry out controlled fires during the 2020 fire season. Despite the exceptions for emergency uses, including firefighting, the grounding had unintended consequences.
The briefing, dated October 30, 2019, indicated concerns about the ban’s drawbacks, but the decision was made after an order from then-Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt. The ban was part of the broader concerns within the US government about Chinese technology.
Steven Aftergood, Director of the Federation of American Scientists Project on Government Secrecy, suggested that the DOI unintentionally created unintended consequences by grounding the drone fleet. The DOI updated its drone policy in October 2022, banning future purchases from “adversary countries” while resuming non-emergency missions with existing drones.
Despite the ban, a DJI spokesperson emphasized the trust law enforcement partners and first responders place in their products, stating that cybersecurity and privacy practices have been substantiated by third parties. The ban on Chinese-made drones aligns with ongoing US efforts to restrict the use of technology from Chinese companies.
The DOI’s decision to ground Chinese drones reflects broader geopolitical tensions and concerns about national security, illustrating the complexities of balancing security measures with operational needs.
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