Image: FullDrone.com

What’s new: Chinese company DJI, the maker of about 70% of consumer-grade drones, sent a software update last week removing default geofences from its products used in the United States.

Why it’s important: Geofencing had prevented these drones from flying near airports, the nation’s capitol, and other areas where drones are a significant safety or security concern. Removing the geofencing:

• Neutralizes some counter-drone measures. Spoofing to make a place “look like” an airport has long been used as part of measures to protect people and places from drones.
• Demonstrates the tremendous power the US has unwittingly place in the hands of DJI and the Chinese government/Communist party.
• It also demonstrates how the U.S. does not have its act together on either drones or PNT.
• Is another part of China’s overall efforts to sow chaos in the west and undermine our form of government.

What else to know:

• Notice they did not do this for drones operating in China, Russia, or elsewhere. 
• Drones have struck and damaged aircraft. See for example here. This is a real danger that has just gotten a lot worse.
• We think this is a very bad, hostile, and dangerous move. We wonder what the leadership at X and Meta think about “placing controls back in the hands of drone operators.” Sounds very libertarian and populist.
• ABOUT THE IMAGE – Did it capture your attention?  It is illegal in the U.S. to arm a drone. We understand it could subject a person to as much as a $25,000 civil penalty.