DJI has designated large parts of Iraq and Syria as a no-fly zone for drones

Without giving any publicity, the Chinese drone manufacturer DJI has implemented software updates for geofencing of large parts of Iraq and Syria. The measure follows an increasing number of reports that consumer drones are being used in the war zone.

The update was quietly added to the DJI Go app in February, Department 13’s Kevin Finisterre reported to The Register. That company specializes in anti-drone technology. The update will make the company’s drones unusable in large parts of Iraq and Syria, in addition to existing geofencing. For example, it was already impossible to use drones around airports.

It remains to be seen whether the expansion of the number of no-fly zone areas has much effect; the measure is easy to circumvent. DJI seems to be responding to reports that consumer drones are being used in increasing numbers in the conflict zones in the Middle East. Islamic State shows in propaganda videos how the commercial drones are used to reconnoiter enemy territory and drop small explosives.

An ISIS drone attack last year prompted DJI to issue a statement strongly condemning the use of drones to harm people. “If governments come to us with legitimate requests, DJI is willing to provide as much technical assistance as possible for investigations into attacks,” the company said at the time. DJI is the market leader with a 60 to 70 percent share of the commercial drone industry.