Summary

Chinese drone company DJI has removed its geofencing feature that automatically restricted drone flights over sensitive areas, like airports, wildfires, and government buildings, replacing it with dismissible warnings.

The decision follows growing distrust in Chinese-made drones and U.S. regulatory changes.

DJI argues this empowers operators while aligning with global standards, but critics worry it could endanger safety, particularly for unaware pilots.

Previously, geofencing helped prevent incidents, like a DJI drone crash at the White House in 2015.

  • SpruceBringsteen@lemmy.world
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    2 hours ago

    While this is a bad move on DJI’s part, maybe it will also force some changes to drone related security.

    Fencing on just the user end only protects against Uncle Bob and his ignorance, not someone actually ill intentioned.

    • glimse@lemmy.world
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      46 minutes ago

      The drones a terrorist would use to attack a government building doesn’t even have GPS. They’d build racing drones, not use an off-the-shelf camera drone

    • atzanteol@sh.itjust.works
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      46 minutes ago

      US done manufacturers don’t do this. DJI was going “above and beyond” here. And it is annoying to users because their fencing was broader than what the FAA allows.