Lawmakers Urge Action Against Chinese Agriculture Drones Over Security Risks

A group of U.S. lawmakers are pressing the Biden administration to address concerns surrounding Chinese-manufactured agriculture drones. These drones, produced primarily by DJI, are considered a national security risk due to their advanced sensors and potential misuse. The lawmakers are requesting urgent action to ensure the safety of U.S. agricultural data and production.

A dozen U.S. lawmakers on Friday urged the Biden administration to address the use of Chinese manufactured agriculture drones, saying their use on American farms poses national security risks. The House Republicans, including Representatives Elise Stefanik, Ashley Hinson, and John Moolenaar, who chairs a select committee on China, asked the U.S. Agriculture Department and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in letters seen by Reuters to detail the administration's efforts to address risks posed by aerosol-dispensing drones.

The lawmakers requested a briefing by Sept. 30 and highlighted the large number of drones produced by Chinese manufacturer DJI as a primary security concern. DJI and the Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment, though DJI has stated it follows applicable data privacy laws and gives users control over their data.

The letter noted that the U.S. Commerce Department has already imposed export restrictions on drones capable of aerosol dispensing due to their potential use as weapon delivery platforms. Lawmakers stressed that relying on technology from a strategic adversary jeopardizes U.S. agricultural resilience. Stefanik has proposed legislation to bar new DJI drones from operating within the U.S. She emphasized the need for immediate action to mitigate risks to the agriculture industry, pointing out that DJI drones could collect sensitive crop data that might be exploited.

In 2020, the U.S government imposed export restrictions on DJI. Lawmakers have said DJI accounts for more than 50% of all U.S. drone purchases.

(With inputs from agencies.)