US Extends Update Deadline for Banned Drones and Routers Until 2029
Banned drones and routers in the US will still get critical updates until 2029
Engadget
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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that banned foreign-made drones and routers in the United States will continue to receive critical software updates until January 1, 2029. This extension, influenced by lobbying from the Consumer Technology Association, aims to mitigate potential harm to consumers while addressing national security concerns.
- 01Banned drones and routers will receive updates until January 1, 2029.
- 02The extension is a two-year increase from the original deadline.
- 03The FCC added these devices to a list of equipment posing national security risks.
- 04Lobbying from the Consumer Technology Association influenced the FCC's decision.
- 05The FCC aims to balance consumer safety with national security interests.
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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that foreign-made drones and routers, which were previously banned due to national security concerns, will continue to receive important software and firmware updates until January 1, 2029. This decision extends the update deadline by approximately two years from the initial cutoff. The FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) stated that the updates aim to mitigate potential harm to consumers. Drones and routers were added to the FCC's Covered List of communications equipment posing national security risks in December 2025. Initially, routers manufactured outside the US were allowed updates only until March 1, 2027. The extension reflects the FCC's recognition of special circumstances that warrant deviation from general rules, as well as lobbying efforts from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), which advocated for a longer update period and greater transparency regarding the ban's scope. The CTA has also called for enhanced collaboration with the National Security Council and the Department of Defense to guide manufacturers of the affected products.
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Consumers can continue using their foreign-made drones and routers with necessary updates, ensuring safer operation while the devices remain in use.
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