The FCC wants to ban some drones it already approved. Yeah, this is getting complicated.
The FCC is considering restrictions that could prevent some previously approved DJI drones from being sold in the US. Existing owners would not be affected.
The FCC is considering expanding restrictions on certain drones due to potential military capabilities or national security risks. Some existing drone models, including DJI's Air 3S, Avata 360, and Mini 5 Pro, may be affected even though they were previously approved. The FCC is seeking public input on the proposal, which began in December 2025.
Current drone owners will not be impacted by the potential ban. The restrictions could affect drone manufacturers and businesses that rely on drone technology, such as agricultural spraying and search-and-rescue operations. DJI has criticized the FCC's proposal, calling it a "total reversal" of its previous position. The FCC is accepting comments until September 2, but for now, existing drones remain legal.
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