Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take aggressive action against Chinese drone manufacturers, specifically naming DJI and Autel Robotics, accusing them of repeatedly using shell companies and subsidiaries to evade U.S. national security laws.
Yesterday, Senator Scott sent a letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, commending the Commission on its recent announcement regarding a forthcoming vote. This vote aims to implement a new order that would prohibit the import or sale of technological equipment from adversarial nations like Communist China that are already on the FCC’s Covered List.
Scott, who has long campaigned to remove Chinese-made drones from U.S. government and military use, highlighted his successful effort to include Section 1709 in the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
This provision mandates an investigation into Chinese drone manufacturers and creates a framework for “more aggressive scrutiny” of foreign-controlled technology posing security risks.
READ: Florida Rep. Byron Donalds Warns Of ‘Devastating’ Impact Of ‘Zohran Mamdani on NYC
Evasion Tactics Alleged
In his letter, Senator Scott emphasized a pattern of deliberate evasion by these companies. “We have seen a consistent pattern from DJI and other Chinese-manufactured businesses of evading U.S. laws and regulations by continuously reestablishing under different shell companies or subsidiaries to avoid detection,” Scott wrote.
He cited a recent alleged case where DJI logos appeared in FCC documentation for a company reportedly only days old named Lyno Dynamics, LLC, suggesting a clear attempt to bypass oversight.
Scott’s Direct Demands to the FCC
To operationalize the efforts in the NDAA, Senator Scott called on the FCC to take three specific actions under the authority of the impending order:
- Rescind all existing equipment authorizations for DJI and Autel Robotics devices, including those approved under “proxy entities,” issued since the enactment of the FY 2025 NDAA.
- Deny any licenses for devices that use components, software, or subsystems sourced from DJI, Autel, or their subsidiaries.
- Strengthen corporate disclosure requirements in FCC filings to prevent shell companies from concealing their ultimate ownership or control.
READ: Florida Senator Rick Scott Sounds Alarm On China ‘Grabbing’ Fire-Ravaged California Land
Scott closed his appeal by thanking Chairman Carr for his leadership in protecting U.S. communications networks, stating that addressing this issue will not only bolster national security but also strengthen the American drone industry and create jobs.
The Senator has requested a response from Chairman Carr by the close of business on October 27, 2025.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
