There is no shortage of bad ideas bouncing around Congress, and some hide in plain sight. One is the “Stemming The Operation of Pernicious and Illicit Drones Act.” At first glance, this legislation seems to make sense because it targets adversaries of the United States by banning drones manufactured in those nations. In reality, it also targets one the most popular drone manufacturers in America, DJI, used by researchers, small businesses, federal agencies, first responders and more.

The legislation would prohibit the Federal Aviation Administration from providing federal grants or contracts for drones manufactured in certain countries, including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela and Cuba. Although this sounds like something that could make sense, in practice, it would prohibit using the most commonly used drones for essential tasks like training and research that supports the safety of the airspace, and more.

The proposed legislation amounts to cronyism and protectionism at its worst because it will create a subsidy for inferior drones that drone operators have generally chosen not to use in the first place. What’s more, it will end in the American taxpayer having to pony up for duplicative, unnecessary drones — all to score a political point with no security gain.

First, the argument made by proponents that DJI drones affect national security is a red herring. These drones and the data they collect are controlled by the person using them. The drones can be walled off from the internet, and users choose what data gets shared via an opt-in process.

Supporters of this bill and similar bans on DJI drones have not pointed to a single actual instance of a national security threat posed by these drones. You would think they would be happy to provide this evidence if it existed; instead, they are using these claims as a way to sully a very popular drone because it happens to be manufactured in China.

Like your smartphone and many personal electronics coveted by Americans.

But like the gadgets above, the manufacturer of the DJI drone is not the Chinese government. The company was founded in 2006 at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, originally for people who had the hobby of flying remote-controlled helicopters. Over the years, helicopters have become drones, and today DJI has become the world’s dominant producer.

This is not some nefarious plot to procure American data — it is merely a China-based global company with an American subsidiary that has won out as a market leader because it produces a drone of such high quality and low price. And one that American small businesses, large companies, researchers, first responders and recreational drone users tend to prefer.

Second, the argument that any foreign-manufactured drone is a national security threat is foolish. National security is actually hurt when country-of-origin bans like these are in place. Country-of-origin bans will create an even more aggressive trade war between the United States and China, which will damage the many American companies selling to China — not to mention pocketbook implications for individual consumers like you and me. This will end up dissociating the nations’ economies and make it much easier for the governments of the two countries to engage in hostile activity toward each other.

Finally, the arguments against DJI are full of innuendo and leaps of logic. DJI is a private, independent firm, and there is no evidence the company is controlled by or connected to the Chinese government. Not only has DJI done nothing to harm American national security but the drones also help first responders to fight fires and find people lost in remote areas, and some even support border security efforts.

The arguments boil down to deciding that the company is bad because it has its headquarters in China. Many things are based in China, and the fear-mongering about everything coming from China being dangerous to U.S. national security has to stop.

If there were legitimate and concrete examples of DJI funneling data to the Chinese government in any way that affects national security, sign me up for bans. With no such facts brought to bear, bills like the “Stemming the Operation of Pernicious and Illicit Drones Act” should be tossed. Fear and conjecture do nothing but economic and diplomatic harm.

Christian Josi is the founder and managing director of C. Josi & Co., a media and public affairs consultancy. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.

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