For most hobby and business pilots, DJI drones are safe to use: DJI says the DJI Fly app doesn't sync flight logs, photos or videos to its servers unless you choose to, the radio link between drone and controller is encrypted with AES-256, and several independent audits found no hidden data transfers. The US government still treats DJI as a national security risk, mainly because DJI is a Chinese company, which is why government agencies restrict it and the FCC blocks new DJI models. Both things are true, and which matters more depends on what you fly for.
What the DJI Fly app collects
According to DJI's Trust Center:
- To activate a drone you need only an email address, a password and the drone's serial number.
- Flight logs, photos and videos stay on your drone, controller and phone unless you choose to sync or upload them.
- If you do share data, it's sent over TLS, and for US users it's stored on ISO 27001-compliant servers in the United States. Personal data like your name and email is encrypted with AES-256 in storage.
- Local Data Mode cuts the app off from the internet entirely. Turn it on in the app's settings for sensitive work. Expect to lose maps and online updates while it's on.
Is DJI video encrypted?
The live video and control link is. DJI's Drone Security White Paper says its OcuSync transmission (the O4 system on current drones) is encrypted with AES-256, with a new random session key each time the device powers on. Enterprise pilots can also encrypt stored media with a security code in DJI Pilot 2. Whatever the app does, a lost microSD card can be read by anyone, so treat it like any camera card.
What the audits found
DJI publishes a list of outside reviews. A few highlights from its Trust Center:
| Year | Reviewer | Finding (as DJI summarizes it) |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Kivu | DJI didn't access photos, video or logs unless users shared them |
| 2020 | FTI Consulting | With Local Data Mode on, no data was sent to DJI or third parties |
| 2022 | TÜV SÜD | DJI Fly and Mini 2, Air 2S and Mavic 3 met NIST IR 8259 and ETSI EN 303 645 |
| 2024 | FTI Consulting | US flight data shared with DJI stayed on US servers |
| 2026 | OnDefend | Air 3S and Matrice 4E: no backdoors or data sent outside the US |
These were commissioned or published by DJI, so read them as DJI's evidence, not a government verdict. DJI also runs a bug bounty program, started in 2017.
Why the US government disagrees
US agencies focus on who makes the drone rather than any single proven flaw. In December 2025 a national security determination led the FCC to add foreign-made drones, including DJI, to its Covered List, so new models can't get FCC authorization. Federal agencies and some states already limited DJI use. Existing models remain legal to buy, own and fly. See why is DJI banned and is DJI banned in the US.
Is DJI GO 4 safe?
DJI GO 4 is the older app for drones like the Mavic 2 and Phantom 4. The same rules apply: keep it on the latest version DJI offers and download it only from DJI or your app store. Newer drones use DJI Fly instead. See DJI Fly vs DJI GO 4.
Practical privacy steps
- Install DJI apps only from the App Store, Google Play or dji.com.
- Don't sync flight records or upload media unless you need to.
- Use Local Data Mode for client or sensitive sites.
- Check what the app shares under its privacy settings.
- Wipe the drone with DJI's Reset All before you sell it.
If your contract or employer bans DJI, no setting will change that, so check first. For personal flying, a current model like the DJI Mini 5 Pro with sensible settings is a reasonable choice. Questions? Contact us.
Related guides
- DJI Fly vs DJI GO 4: which app does your drone use?
- Which app does the DJI Mini 4 Pro use? DJI Fly setup guide
- Which app does the DJI Mini 5 Pro use? DJI Fly setup guide
- DJI Fly vs Litchi: which app should you fly with?
- What is drone geofencing? DJI Fly Safe and GEO zones explained
- Can you use the DJI Fly app on a PC or Mac?
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