12/30/2025
“The FCC insists this won’t affect drones already on the market. Americans can continue to buy and operate existing DJI models — for now. But new models? Banned. Future innovations? Not for you, American consumer.
This creates a bizarre two-tiered market. It is perfectly legal to buy and fly drones already approved for sale today […] But when those become obsolete (remember, drone tech evolves very quickly), your only options will be vastly more expensive American alternatives that still rely on many foreign components (hope the government doesn’t notice!) or the black market.
That’s not national security. That’s just crony capitalism with better PR.” — Sally French, The Drone Girl
The FCC banned all foreign-made drones, claiming national security. But with no American alternatives under $2,000, I've got bad news.