The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to bar new drones manufactured by the Chinese firm, DJI from operating in the United States. The bill, which would still require passage by the U.S. Senate before it could become law, would prohibit the company’s products from operating on U.S. communications infrastructure. Modern drones are dependent on communication infrastructure for core functionalities like GPS navigation, control signal transmission, and video transmission necessary for stable flight, precise control, and real-time visual feedback. Of note, it would not prevent existing DJI drones from operating in the United States.

Proponents of the bill cite national security concerns, alleging DJI drones are providing data on critical infrastructure in the United States to the Chinese Communist Party. Their claim is that this has the potential to be used for military or industrial espionage creating technological dominance over the U.S. This bill has the potential to significantly impact the drone industry in the U.S., affecting both professionals and consumers who rely on DJI drones including public safety applications like search and rescue missions. DJI and a coalition of user groups are fighting the ban through lobbying efforts and more.

The company has dominated both the consumer and commercial markets with an estimated 58% global market share. This is likely due to their relative affordability and constantly offering advanced features, making it easy for beginners to learn how to fly a drone. Beyond the consumer market, DJI has become a fixture in commercial applications including the entertainment industry where they are increasingly used for aerial cinematography.

Congress has repeatedly voted to impose new restrictions on Chinese technology and in April voted to require China’s ByteDance to divest to sell its TikTok U.S. assets by Jan. 19. Yet another bill approved Monday would bar the Homeland Security Department from buying batteries from six Chinese companies.