30 August 2020

Chinese-Made Drones: A Direct Threat Whose Use Should Be Curtailed

John Venable and Lora Ries

The vast majority of commercial drones used in the U.S. are manufactured in China, and their operating systems are impressive and worrisome. The technology is advancing rapidly, and the capabilities currently found in large drones is now being miniaturized and will likely migrate to smaller drones in the near term, which will significantly broaden the threat. However, the understanding of the risk and/or the willingness for state and local agencies to thwart those drones from collecting sensitive data is limited—at best. The United States government needs to address and stop the collection and transfer of data by drones to any foreign-based corporation before this incredible capability is turned against us.

Drone use in the U.S. is increasing rapidly, but this raises substantial privacy and security concerns, especially concerns about data falling into the wrong hands.

Chinese drones dominate the U.S. market—despite minimal data protections, data transfer to Chinese firms, and mandatory data-sharing with the Chinese Government.

The U.S. must stop unauthorized data collection and transfer to foreign-based corporations or governments before it is used to threaten U.S. citizens or interests.

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