Chinese-manufactured drones 'pose a significant risk to critical infrastructure and U.S. national security,' DHS and FBI warn

The Department of Homeland Security's cyber agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are warning that Chinese-manufactured drones «pose a significant risk to critical infrastructure and U.S. national security,» and could steal American data, according to a public service announcement released on Wednesday.

DHS' Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI say that because of Chinese law that allows for the government to access data held by private firms, American data that's connected to drones could be at risk.

«The use of Chinese-manufactured UAS requires careful consideration and potential mitigation to reduce risk to networks and sensitive information,» the document read.

China is the country's most «advanced, active, and persistent cyber threat,» according to the White House, and one of the reasons why is that they can exploit data that is used by American consumers.

«Central to this strategy is the acquisition and collection of data — which the PRC views as a strategic resource and growing arena of geopolitical competition,» the release said. «The use of Chinese-manufactured UAS in critical infrastructure operations risks exposing sensitive information to PRC authorities, jeopardizing U.S. national security, economic security, and public health and safety.»

The agencies said a 2021 law expanded China's access «and control of companies and data within China and imposes strict penalties on China-based businesses for non-compliance.»

«The data collected by such companies is essential to the PRC's Military-Civil Fusion strategy, which seeks to gain a strategic advantage over the United States by facilitating access to advanced technologies and expertise,» the release said.

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