DJI develops ‘privacy mode’ without data transfer for drones

DJI is developing a new mode for its drones, which will cut all active data connections to its servers. This means that the privacy of its customers should be better guaranteed. Recently, the US military decided to stop using the Chinese drones.

DJI reports that its drones “regularly communicate over the Internet” to retrieve local maps, app updates, radio frequencies and geofencing data, among other things. If a user activates the new ‘local data’ mode, the drone will stop all communication. According to the manufacturer, this means that, for example, information about updates or flight restrictions no longer comes in, but that it offers the user an opportunity to carry out ‘sensitive flights’, for example for government tasks.

The Chinese company says the change is targeting its corporate customers, in addition to public and private institutions. A spokesperson told TechCrunch that the new feature is not a response to the news that the US military is suspending the use of the drones. “We are not responding to the military, which has never expressed its concerns to us,” the spokesman said.

At the beginning of this month, a memo appeared online in which the US military decided to stop deploying DJI drones due to vulnerabilities, without going into further detail. The document indicated that the DJI copies are the most commonly used drones within the US military.

DJI mentions in its announcement that the new feature will come through the apps DJI Go, Go 4, XT Pro, Pilot and Ground Station Pro. It warns that the feature may not be available in areas where an internet connection is required by local laws or regulations.

DJI Inspire 2