DJI, a technology company headquartered in China, discontinued its geofence software, which prohibited drones from operating in airspace over the White House, military bases, airport runways, power plants, and during public emergencies. Previously restricted locations will now be shown as "enhanced warning zones" rather than "no-fly zones." The change took effect on Monday, the Verge first reported.
Operators will no longer encounter automatic flight restrictions as a result of this modification; rather, they will receive notifications upon entering sensitive areas, including government facilities and airports. The change effectively places critical decision-making in the hands of civilian drone pilots. DJI is the world's largest civilian drone manufacturer, according to its website.
"In these zones, in-app alerts will notify operators flying near FAA-designated controlled airspace, placing control back in the hands of the drone operators, in line with regulatory principles of the operator bearing final responsibility," DJI said.
DJI highlighted the importance of maintaining current airspace data by ensuring that users are connected to the internet and update their flight apps on a regular basis. However, pilots are solely responsible for ensuring that drone operations are lawful, in contrast to the previous system that enforced automatic limitations.
Although it is generally allowed to operate a drone in the majority of locations, the Federal Aviation Administration has stated that recreational drones are prohibited from entering the airspace surrounding airports, designated national security sensitive facilities, specific military bases, infrastructure, national landmarks, and locations subject to Temporary Flight Restrictions.
DJI stated on its blog that consumer drones were a relatively new technology at the time of the introduction of its geofencing system in 2013, and there were few flight rules and regulations in place. While the geofencing system was originally designed as an optional built-in feature to "foster responsible flight practices," DJI stated that "global regulations are user awareness have evolved significantly."
"The FAA introduced Remote ID requirements, which means that drones flown in the US must broadcast the equivalent of a 'license plate' for drones. This requirement went into effect in early 2024, providing authorities with the tools needed to enforce existing rules," DJI told the Verge.
The China-based company's decision comes after claims that Chinese hackers recently gained access to the US Treasury. As well, there has been an ongoing mystery over several drone sightings on the East Coast.
