DJI, the leading Chinese drone manufacturer, is enhancing data security measures for its drones in response to growing concerns raised by the U.S. Army over potential network vulnerabilities. The military recently ordered its personnel to stop using DJI's UAVs due to reported "network defects," prompting the company to accelerate its plans for an offline privacy mode.
In September, DJI rolled out a software update introducing a new "local data mode," which disables internet connectivity between the drone and external servers. This feature was designed primarily for enterprise users and had been in development prior to the U.S. military’s recent actions. According to Brendan Schulman, DJI’s Vice President, the local data model ensures that sensitive information remains on the device and isn’t transmitted to the cloud, offering users added peace of mind.
Despite the feature being aimed at commercial clients, the U.S. Army’s memorandum has heightened awareness among corporate and government customers who are wary of data leaks, especially when capturing images or videos of critical infrastructure. While DJI maintains that it doesn't collect user data unless shared voluntarily, the new offline mode prevents accidental uploads to its servers.
Schulman explained that in local data mode, users can still operate their drones and access basic functions via their smartphones, but features like map updates and real-time flight restrictions become unavailable. The company has also accelerated the release of this update, originally scheduled for later this year, to meet growing demand.
Although the U.S. Army hasn’t officially responded to DJI’s efforts, other branches have not yet imposed a ban. Adam Lisberg, DJI’s North American PR Director, clarified that the company is not directly responding to the military’s actions, but rather addressing customer needs. He emphasized that the feature was developed with enterprise users in mind and that the military’s memo only reinforced existing concerns.
Analysts from Goldman Sachs and Oppenheimer previously estimated that DJI holds a 70% share of the global consumer and commercial drone market. With the military sector expected to grow significantly, DJI’s proactive approach to data security could help maintain trust and expand its market presence.
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