Following the trend of heightened scrutiny over Chinese tech companies, the US government is eyeing DJI, the world’s leading drone manufacturer, for a potential ban. The latest move comes in the form of the Countering CCP Drones Act, a bill that has gained traction in the House of Energy and Commerce Committee, signaling a potential grounding of DJI’s drones across the United States.

If enacted, the legislation [PDF] would designate DJI drones as equipment posing a national security risk, akin to measures taken against Huawei and ZTE. The Act builds upon the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019, aiming to prevent the use of such equipment on US networks and restrict federal funding for its procurement.

Republican Representative Elise Stefanik, the bill‘s proponent, asserts that DJI’s operations compromise critical infrastructure security by providing data to China. Stefanik emphasizes the urgency, stating, “DJI presents an unacceptable national security risk,” underscoring the need for the removal of Chinese-made drones from American soil.

The US government’s apprehension toward DJI is not new. In 2020, DJI found itself on the Department of Commerce’s Entity List, curtailing technology exports to the company. Subsequent listings by the Treasury and Department of Defense reinforced suspicions, citing alleged ties to China’s military-industrial complex and concerns over human rights violations in the Xinjiang region.

DJI vehemently contests the allegations, labeling them as unfounded and xenophobic. In a blog post, the company defends its stance, denying any involvement in rights abuses and emphasizing its lack of control over product application.

The move against DJI coincides with broader efforts to curb Chinese influence in the tech sector. President Biden’s recent signing of a bill targeting TikTok exemplifies this trend, signaling a comprehensive approach to address perceived national security risks posed by Chinese-owned platforms.

With the momentum behind the Countering CCP Drones Act, the House may soon vote on its advancement. Should it progress, DJI faces the prospect of severe restrictions on its US operations, marking another escalation in the ongoing US-China tech standoff.