US Pentagon Changes Its Mind About DJI Drones (pocketnow.com) 24
After temporarily grounding its fleet of more than 500 DJI drones in January 2020 over cybersecurity concerns, the Pentagon has finally cleared two of DJI's drones of any security risks. An analysis of the two DJI drones built for government use found "no malicious code or intent" and are "recommended for use by government entities and forces working with US services," a report summary said. Pocketnow reports: Specifically, the Pentagon has cleared only two drone models so far -- the DJI Mavic Pro and Matrice 600 Pro. However, it will still come as a relief for the brand after being under the scanner for over security threats, especially after giants like HUAWEI have had to face terrible consequences after being blacklisted for similar reasons. DJI, on the other hand, has maintained that the company is not involved in any secretive data-sharing practices with the Chinese government and that its drones are safe to use.
"This U.S. government report is the strongest confirmation to date of what we, and independent security validations, have been saying for years -- DJI drones are safe and secure for government and enterprise operations," a DJI spokesperson was quoted as saying. While two of DJI's drone models can now be again used by the Interior Department, there is no relief for the company regarding its inclusion on the Commerce Department's Entity List. Even though the sale of its product has not been banned, sourcing technology from US-based firms would still require approval, and then there are risks of supply chain disruption as well as reputation loss.
"This U.S. government report is the strongest confirmation to date of what we, and independent security validations, have been saying for years -- DJI drones are safe and secure for government and enterprise operations," a DJI spokesperson was quoted as saying. While two of DJI's drone models can now be again used by the Interior Department, there is no relief for the company regarding its inclusion on the Commerce Department's Entity List. Even though the sale of its product has not been banned, sourcing technology from US-based firms would still require approval, and then there are risks of supply chain disruption as well as reputation loss.
I use the S1000+ (Score:2, Insightful)
Re: (Score:1)
Are all the "restricted zones" stored locally also?
Re: (Score:3)
They used to be. So you could just edit the local database and remove the no fly zones.
Re: (Score:3)
It's a WiFi card flying around picking up a dozen open access points. Still don't understand how it send data?
> getting the app through the App Store with Chinese spyware would be near impossible...
I wish that were true.
*Most* apps in the app stores aren't outright malicious, that much is true. The Georgia Tech school of cybersecurity did a study using 20,000 or so sample apps from each app store and found that (for both platforms) the *percentage* of malicious apps is pretty low.
I don't remember the exa
Re: (Score:2)
If I wanted to weaponize my status as an electronics exporter, I would require that the most basic devices be capable to polluting spectrum when comannded. So my cheap remote plugs receive the freakout command and start transmitting garbage all over the place, along with a signal to other devices to enter their own freakout mode.
Nobody's wifi or cell data works right, drones are chasing the dog and grandma, the vending machine just shot somebody in the balls, and an autonomous big rig is about to drive itse
Re: I use the S1000+ (Score:1)
Re: (Score:3)
It was just bullshit designed to give US drone manufacturers a hand because they were failing to compete with DJI. Now Trump is gone the US government can get back to using the best tool for the job, with a slow climb down to minimize embarrassment.
The Stooges (Score:2)
(Pentagon Larry) "Hey Moe! Look what I found!"
(NSA Moe) "Wise guy. Gimme thaat!"
* 6 months and $37 million worth of tweaks later *
(NSA Moe) "Larry! C'mere! OK, now listen, THESE are the 'approved' models, see..."
(Citizen Shemp) "Hey! How come you guys never tell me nothin?"
logic dictates.. (Score:2)
Safe, by not for very long.
Soon they will be shipped with software that you can install on your pc...
Sounds like a 5-star review on Amazon... (Score:1)
So now that these particular models have been cleared of any suspected security vulnerabilities, it's time for DJI to replace the firmware with malware (and probably not bother to change the version number) in future production runs. If they know what they're doing (or have some "assistance" from Beijing), they'll insert some code to poll the wifi (or Bluetooth) environment and perform slow password attacks distributed across all SSIDs in range, so that they gradually find ways to phone home often enough to
Re: (Score:3)
That's not how government device approvals typically work.
The "approved" version is a specific model, with a specific firmware and a specific configuration. If you change the firmware or the configuration then it's no longer an approved configuration and requires a separate evaluation.
This is intended to prevent the kind of attacks you mention, although it has other significant detrimental side effects - for instance because getting a new firmware version approved is a costly and time consuming process, the
Re: Sounds like a 5-star review on Amazon... (Score:2)
This is why the OP mentioned: and probably not bother to change the version number
China wins every math world competition (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3)
Thats more to do with their education system than greater IQ. You'll find most countries that treat education seriously rather than simply a way of keeping kids occupied until they're old enough to get a McJob scores well. Plus China as a population of 1.4 billion so plenty of candidates to choose from.
Re: China wins every math world competition (Score:2)
You have obviously never seen China. It's common for kids to be in school for 12 hours or more. Many will completely checkout and while it's not legal to separate a grade into classes based on skill, it happens anyways in some schools Also placement in high schools is based on scores, so the best students go to the number one high school in a city. Then consider just wealth where students in Shanghai are far greater in ability than those from say Xining. At least with the last aspect, they try to curve sc
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:1)
and repeated here on what used to be a technology forum
Re: (Score:2)
Depends *strongly* on context. If you're talking about for your personal use on your personal devices, then you'd have a point if you weren't misunderstanding what's being said.
When the army says "you can use this device", then foreign intervention is a real concern. Anyone who things otherwise is a fool. (Actually, when the army says "you can use this device" you should be concerned anyway. But since we basically live in a "water empire", that's not where most of the leverage exists. So the army rarel
DJI Drones have a problem (Score:2)
And that problem is their app.
Note it's been a while so I don't know how much of this still applies, and I'm open to corrections — I very much want to know if I'm wrong. Continuing...
They are technically very competent devices, I've flown one and it was extremely easy and the video quality was great even at silly long range.
But if the app doesn't do the right things that it says are being done for your protection, you don't fly.
And the app handles firmware updates, and you don't get a choice about the