Here's the deal: China has laws that allow its government to access and control data held by Chinese companies. This means if you use drones made in China for important tasks like overseeing infrastructure, there's a risk that sensitive data could end up in the hands of Chinese authorities. These laws give China the power to get data from companies all around the world, not just in China.
When you fly a drone, it can do more than just take pictures or videos. It can also send and receive data. But the worry isn't just about what data the drone collects; it's also about things like software updates and other devices that the drone might connect to.
To keep drones safe from potential risks, CISA and the FBI suggest a few things. They recommend treating drones like other smart devices, using a separate system to check for and install updates, and following strict security rules from the start.
Why are they so worried? Well, there have been cases of drones being used for hacking before. Some modified drones have been used to steal important information like passwords and Wi-Fi details. This is serious stuff because it could lead to cyberattacks or other security problems.
The US government has been concerned about Chinese-made drones for a while now. They even stopped using their own drones in 2020 because of worries about Chinese spying. And companies like DJI, a big drone manufacturer, have faced restrictions because of these concerns.
So, while drones can be really useful tools, especially for things like monitoring infrastructure, it's important to be cautious, especially when it comes to where they're made and who might be able to access the data they collect.
Is the real problem that DJI has become such a dominant player in the market, such a powerful company and producing the most technologically advanced drones in the world, the US just cannot compete?
