U.S. software supplier Cape bans use of DJI drones

The California-based start-up Cape will stop selling to its clients software that is compatible with the Chinese drone company DJI, citing security concerns.

A drone produced by China’s DJI. [File photo: VCG]

Cape mainly provides software that allows drones to be dispatched and controlled remotely, including at accidents or crime scenes. All of DJI's commercial drones were equipped with Cape's software. DJI is the world's leading drone maker and takes the largest share of the drone market in the United States.

DJI has said it is "disappointed to learn about Cape's decision". In an email from the company's spokesman Michael Oldenburg, concerns about security are "based on false speculation". He also said that DJI "remain committed to continuously working with all of our customers — including more than 520 public safety agencies who trust our products to conduct critical missions."

The decision doesn't come cheap for Cape, at least in the short term: DJI currently accounts for every single drone running Cape's software commercially. Cape will begin asking new customers to choose from other approved drone manufacturers, while existing clients can continue to use their DJI drones for up to a year under their existing licenses.

Media in the United States reported on July 11 that the government-enterprise version of DJI's drone control system passed extensive testing and independent verification by the U.S. Department of the Interior, which is responsible for assessing and approving drone technology for various uses. The department said that during a 15-month evaluation of the DJI drones it tested, no data was found to be transmitted outside the drone control system.