Bill Overview
Title: Countering CCP Drones Act
Description: This bill requires the inclusion of telecommunications and video surveillance equipment or services produced or provided by Shenzhen Da-Jiang Innovations Sciences and Technologies Company Limited (a Chinese drone maker commonly known as DJI Technologies) on a list of communications equipment or services determined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to pose an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security. Current law prohibits the use of federal funding available through specified FCC programs for purchasing or maintaining listed equipment or services.
Sponsors: Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]
Target Audience
Population: Global users of DJI drones
Estimated Size: 3500000
- The bill targets DJI Technologies, a major producer of drones, primarily impacting industries and consumers worldwide who use their products.
- DJI is the market leader in civilian drones, with a substantial global market share, especially in the professional and consumer drone industry.
- Bans or restrictions on DJI products could impact users from various sectors such as agriculture, photography, and security, who depend on their technology for operations.
- The global drone industry is significant, with millions of users relying on these technologies for everyday tasks and professional use.
Reasoning
- The Countering CCP Drones Act targets DJI Technologies, a leading drone company with significant market share in various sectors such as consumer electronics, agriculture, photography, and security.
- Given DJI's dominance, the restriction could affect many individuals and businesses, especially those relying on these drones for professional operations and personal use.
- Considering budget limitations, the policy might prioritize high-security impact areas such as critical infrastructure or government contracts over widespread consumer or hobbyist usage.
- The overall direct impact on individual well-being might range from low to high, depending on how dependent they are on DJI products for their livelihood or significant activities.
- Some individuals might see no effect, particularly those who do not use drones or rely on alternative brands.
- Given the U.S. estimate of 3.5 million DJI drone users and the policy's focus, a slice of this group, particularly professionals in industry or government work, might feel greater impacts.
Simulated Interviews
Professional Photographer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about how this will affect my business since DJI drones are integral for my creative work and client satisfaction.
- I rely on the superior camera technology and ease of use which my current equipment provides.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Agricultural Consultant (Austin, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- These drones have been a cost-effective solution for precision agriculture. A ban might mean increased operational expenses.
- I'm concerned about finding reliable alternative technology without significant business disruption.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 10 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 10 |
Amateur Drone Enthusiast (New York, NY)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm a bit upset since DJI offers the best features for the value, but it won't impact my life too significantly.
- It's more of a hobby for me, so I hope alternatives will emerge.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Environmental Scientist (Boulder, CO)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The use of DJI drones has made ecological monitoring affordable and efficient, so changes are concerning to project timelines.
- It could hinder fieldwork until we find replacements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 10 |
Technology Journalist (Chicago, IL)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could be a significant disruption story. I'm curious about its real impacts on the industry.
- It might lead to significant discourse in tech circles.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Government Contractor (Miami, FL)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand the importance of national security, but we will need vetted drone alternatives quickly to not impact our service deliverables.
- This could be a significant logistical challenge for operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 10 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 10 |
Small Business Owner (Seattle, WA)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've been worried that my business might suffer since I heavily stock and sell DJI products.
- There's a fear of losing major customer bases if I can't pivot quickly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Retired Military (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm less affected personally but I see the potential disruption this might cause in security projects.
- There's a sense of national security importance to consider.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 10 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 10 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 10 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 10 |
College Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.5 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If access to DJI drones is restricted, it might hinder some of our project work; hoping for alternatives or temporary exceptions for educational purposes.
- I rely on these for several projects including in-class assignments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Construction Project Manager (Detroit, MI)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our site projects rely heavily on DJI drones. Transitioning to alternates might be disruptive temporarily but is manageable long-term.
- It's an adjustment for short-term project timelines.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 10 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 10 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $8000000)
Year 2: $3000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $5000000)
Year 3: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $4000000)
Year 5: $1500000 (Low: $1000000, High: $3000000)
Year 10: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $2500000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $1000000)
Key Considerations
- Potential for industry shifts as sectors like agriculture, security, and media adapt to restrictions on a predominant market player.
- Administrative costs associated with monitoring and enforcing compliance with the new equipment ban.
- The scale of DJI's market in the U.S. could mean significant adaptation costs for affected businesses and users.