DJI claims its drone safety decisions are not influenced by politics, following backlash to a geofencing system update.
According to the company, the adjustment will enhance operational clarity and align drone usage with established aviation principles set by regulators like the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Earlier this week, DJI announced an update to its Geospatial Environment Online (GEO) geofencing system. The change replaces prior DJI geofencing datasets in most of the company’s consumer and enterprise drones sold in the US with official FAA data. The company says the update aims to alleviate operational hurdles while empowering drone operators to comply easily with regulatory guidelines.
DJI first introduced the GEO system in 2013, at a time when consumer drones were relatively novel and regulations sparse. The voluntary tool offered educational support to drone operators, promoting responsible flight practices. However, the update has been met with mixed reactions online.
“Some concerning reactions circulating online are either categorically false or seek to politicise this update given the current geopolitical climate,” stated DJI.
To address the situation, DJI published a “Get the Facts” article to dispel misinformation and emphasise the rationale behind the update.
Politics-free drone safety
“Politics does not drive safety decisions at DJI,” the company affirmed as its first “fact” in the statement. DJI highlighted its decade-long history of proactively integrating advanced safety systems into its drones, often exceeding regulatory requirements.
“To suggest that this update is linked to the current political environment in the US is not only false but also dangerous. Politicising safety serves no one,” DJI stated, urging discussions to remain rooted in technological details and evidence.
The company cited the example of similar updates implemented in the European Union last year, noting that those changes occurred without evidence of increased risk. DJI added that the US GEO update had been planned months earlier but was delayed to ensure performance standards were met.
Operator responsibility
DJI stressed that its update aligns with the FAA’s principle of operator responsibility. As aviation regulators worldwide continue to uphold this principle, DJI noted that such changes offer a harmonious approach to global drone usage.
“Regulators have not chosen to mandate geofencing,” the company highlighted.
Instead, regulators have opted to enforce measures such as Remote ID – where drones broadcast the equivalent of a “license plate” – and the Low Altitude Authorisation and Notification Capability (LAANC), which offers automated flight approvals near controlled airspace.
Education not enforcement
DJI reiterated the purpose of GEO as an “educational – not an enforcement – tool.” Warning zones and in-app alerts remain part of the system, ensuring pilots receive guidance on safer flight operations.
DJI argued that the update allows operators to regain control over their flights while being provided the necessary information to fly safely and in compliance with FAA regulations.
“DJI remains committed to promoting safe and responsible flight practices and will continue its community education efforts, reminding pilots to always ensure their flights are conducted safely and in accordance with all local laws and regulations,” the company stated.
Reducing barriers
A key aspect of the update involved transitioning from “No Fly Zones” (NFZs) to “Enhanced Warning Zones,” lessening obstacles faced by drone pilots. Previously, operators needed to wait for manual approval and unlocking licences for flights within NFZs—a process DJI described as cumbersome, especially for time-sensitive missions.
“This process could result in missed opportunities, delayed operations, or unnecessary waiting times,” DJI observed. “This was especially challenging for commercial operators, drone businesses – and most critically – public safety agencies performing lifesaving work, where delays are simply unacceptable.”
Additionally, DJI acknowledged earlier discrepancies between its global geofencing system and FAA configurations. The company’s earlier reliance on International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 14 standards occasionally mismatched official FAA data, causing confusion for operators.
The latest update replaces ICAO Annex 14 guidelines with FAA-provided data to improve consistency and remove ambiguity. “By displaying official FAA data, this update ensures operators can view airspace as the FAA intends, clearly understanding where they can and cannot fly,” DJI stated.
DJI concluded its statement by reinforcing the three goals of its latest GEO update: aligning with regulatory principles, providing operators with greater control, and delivering accurate information.
“We hope this explanation clarifies the real reasons behind the update to the GEO system: an opportunity to align with regulatory principles, empower customers with greater control, and provide them with accurate, official information to confidently operate their drones within safe and permitted airspace,” DJI wrote.
While pushback was perhaps inevitable given the nature of any change, DJI maintains that its drone update decisions firmly rests on safety.
(Photo by Mitch Nielsen)
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