WASHINGTON — Federal agencies are split on how best to handle national security concerns surrounding popular and ubiquitous Chinese-made drones, with some policymakers chafing at more protectionist approaches. The Department of Interior, which utilizes drones for tasks like wildlife conservation and monitoring the state of infrastructure, grounded all those made in China or built with Chinese parts in October. Yet the Department of Agriculture and the Office of Management and Budget raised warnings last year about congressional legislation that would make it impossible for the United States government to buy Chinese drones at all. The Trump administration has engaged in a steady campaign to wall off America from Chinese technology, saying it could be used by the Chinese government to spy on the United States and presents a national security risk. Federal officials have also investigated whether mobile apps owned by Chinese companies could leak sensitive data.

Source: International New York Times February 07, 2020 17:15 UTC