A congressional committee is urging Fairfax County to rethink its approach to the use of drones — specifically those manufactured in China.
In a letter sent to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors last month, top members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party raised national and economic security concerns related to the county’s use of drones made by DJI Technologies.
“We believe state and local governments such as Fairfax County have a unique opportunity to safeguard residents from these threats,” Reps. John Moolenaar (R-Michigan) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Illinois) wrote in the Sept. 26 letter.
According to the letter, federal agencies have long been wary of the company. The Department of Homeland Security warned in 2019 briefing that it had “strong concerns” that drones made in China were “likely transmitting sensitive U.S. data” to the Chinese government. The Department of Defense was banned from buying drones from DJI, which is based in Shenzhen, China, not long after.
DJI was placed on a sanctions list in 2020 for allegedly supporting surveillance and genetic collection in China that “have enabled wide-scale human rights abuses” — specifically, the ongoing genocide of the Uyghur people.
Alleged attempts to “sidestep regulatory and competitive pressures” have also led to a slow-moving shift away from the brand in jurisdictions across the country, and Fairfax County should join the pack, the letter said.
For these reasons, we urge Fairfax County to ensure PRC drones are excluded from procurement and partner programs in the future and assist other Counties and the Commonwealth of Virginia in adopting a drone procurement policy that adheres to the Virginia Public Procurement Act and the federal government’s framework of addressing PRC drones and its national security risks.
But the county adamantly defended its oversight procedures, stating that it has “strict guidelines and safeguards to ensure that all county drone technology, regardless of origin, is used in compliance with security protocols and privacy protections.”
“Fairfax County is committed to ensuring compliance with the Virginia Public Procurement Act and its own Purchasing Resolution, which includes regulations regarding technology purchased for use by the county and consistency with federal law,” a county spokesperson told FFXnow.
“The Department of Procurement and Material Management routinely reviews applicable state and federal guidance to monitor which goods or services may be subject to the prohibitions described in the resolution.”
The county’s arsenal features 36 drones, 29 of which being manufactured by DJI. They are used by a variety of departments for assisting in search and rescue operations, assessing fire, traffic and crash management, and obtaining footage for county-produced videos.
“Our policies and standards are reviewed regularly to ensure that we remain in compliance with changes in state and federal law and regulations,” a county spokesperson said. “We continue to prioritize the safety and security of our residents and the technology we use in serving them.”
DJI has denied that its drones have data security and privacy issues, claiming that the criticisms are being pushed by rival companies “stirring up xenophobia to eliminate market competition.” The company says it has “invested heavily” in cybersecurity protections and its products are routinely certified by third-party audits, noting that its drones are designed for “peaceful and civilian use only.”
Legislation that would essentially ban DJI drones by prohibiting them from using federally funded communications infrastructure passed the U.S. House in September and is now being considered by a Senate committee.
In a blog post responding to the bill’s introduction in the Senate, DJI highlighted the use of its drones by public safety agencies to respond to 911 calls and find missing people.
“Losing access to the best equipment available in the market means losing access to critical situational awareness in all forms of high-stakes situations, risking American lives,” DJI said.
Photo via Fairfax County Police Department
