Industry Veteran Debunks Viral Myths Ahead of December 23 Deadline

In the wake of mounting concerns within the drone community, Drone Service Providers Alliance President Vic Moss has stepped forward to debunk widespread misinformation about the looming December 23 deadline affecting DJI and Autel drones. His clear message to worried drone operators: your equipment will not suddenly stop functioning at year’s end.

“Don’t use the word ban anymore, please,” Moss emphasizes in a newly released fact-check video. “The more accurate word is restriction. There is no ban.”

The controversy stems from Section 1709 of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which mandates a federal security audit of Chinese drone manufacturers DJI and Autel by December 23, 2025. If no audit is completed by then—conducted by agencies like the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, or the FBI—these companies would automatically be added to the FCC’s Covered List.

What this actually means is far less catastrophic than many fear. If listed, new drone models requiring FCC licenses would be blocked from importation, and future products could be prevented from entering the U.S. market. However, existing drones would remain fully operational.

Moss directly challenges misinformation circulating at industry events, including claims that drones would be prevented from taking off after the deadline. “First of all, fact: lie. That’s a lie. 100% a lie,” he states emphatically.

He also dismisses fears that DJI might remotely disable drones in retaliation, pointing out that such action would destroy customer trust in other markets. “Why would a company like DJI do something like that to their customer base?” Moss asks. “Then any other country could fear the same thing. It’s going to hurt their sales worldwide.”

The FCC’s recent vote to grant itself authority to revoke existing licenses has amplified concerns. However, Moss predicts that such drastic measures remain unlikely, particularly given the critical role these drones play in public safety.

“90-plus percent of all first responder fleets are DJI or Autel,” Moss notes. “Nobody, even a bureaucrat, nobody in their right mind is going to do something that would shut down first responder fleets.” Such action, he warns, “will cost American lives. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.”

Fire departments, police agencies, and search and rescue teams depend on these drones daily. According to documented cases, drone technology has saved over 1,054 lives globally, with DJI and Autel equipment comprising the vast majority of these life-saving tools.

The situation reveals larger tensions between security concerns and practical realities. Many rural agencies simply cannot afford American-made alternatives, which can cost 8-14 times more than comparable DJI models. In Florida, where a state-level drone ban was implemented, Orlando Police testified that their DJI equipment had zero failures over five years, while approved replacements failed five times in just 18 months.

Moss’s credentials lend weight to his assessment. As an FAA Safety Team Drone Pro and founding member of the Drone Service Providers Alliance, he has spent years advocating for sensible drone regulations at federal and state levels.

His advice to drone operators remains straightforward: “Should I buy a DJI drone? Absolutely 100% yes. Buy a DJI, buy an Autel, buy an Anzu, buy a Specta. If you can get them, buy them.”

For those concerned about potential restrictions, Moss suggests contacting congressional representatives through the Drone Advocacy Alliance Take Action page.

As the deadline approaches, the drone community watches closely, but with Moss’s clarification, operators can breathe easier knowing their equipment won’t suddenly become unusable when the calendar turns to December 24.