The Federal Communications Commission is preparing to use newly granted authority to retroactively ban electronic devices that have already received approval for importation and sale in the United States. The action targets eight companies believed to be operating as front entities for DJI, a Chinese manufacturer subject to a foreign drone ban.
Two weeks prior to the current proposal, the FCC had initiated enforcement action against these entities with proposed fines of $25,000 each. The regulatory body has now expanded its response to include a comprehensive ban preventing the companies from importing, distributing, marketing, or selling their existing products. Specific targets include drone and camera products from manufacturers such as Xtra Technology and Skyrover. Some of these products, including an Xtra-branded version of the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, had already received FCC approval and are currently available through major online retailers with expedited shipping options.
The proposed ban would not apply to devices already purchased by consumers and would not take effect immediately. The FCC is currently accepting public comments for 30 days as part of its review process. The agency has indicated it reached a tentative conclusion that these companies are distributing equipment that violates national security requirements but stated it would consider specific evidence to the contrary. The companies targeted include Cogito Tech, Fixaxo Technology, Lyno Dynamics, Skyhigh Tech, Spatial Hover, SZ Knowact, WaveGo Tech, Xtra Technology, and agricultural drone manufacturer XAG.
The FCC is also terminating its relationship with SGS-CSTC Shenzhen, a Chinese testing laboratory that assisted some of these products in obtaining authorization. The agency determined that the laboratory’s ownership structure violated United States regulatory standards for authorizing radio equipment. The FCC indicated it may pursue additional enforcement actions against the identified companies following a deadline for response.