DJI suspends sales in Russia and Ukraine to prevent the use of its drones in combat

[midian182]

What just happened? Drone giant DJI has suspended sales in Russia and Ukraine following reports that Russian troops are using its products to navigate missiles. The company says the move is not a statement about any country "but a statement about our principles."

Reuters reports that DJI has become the first major Chinese firm to pull its products from Russia. Ride-hailing company Didi Global had announced it was pulling out of Russia and Kazakhstan in February but changed its mind following pressure from social media users in China accusing it of succumbing to US pressure.

A DJI spokesperson emphasized that, unlike the slew of US companies ranging from Apple to Intel, its decision was not a protest against Russia over its invasion. "DJI abhors any use of our drones to cause harm, and we are temporarily suspending sales in these countries in order to help ensure no-one uses our drones in combat," a spokesperson told Reuters.

In 21 days of the war, russian troops has already killed 100 Ukrainian children. they are using DJI products in order to navigate their missile. @DJIGlobal are you sure you want to be a partner in these murders? Block your products that are helping russia to kill the Ukrainians! pic.twitter.com/4HJcTXFxoY

— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) March 16, 2022

In March, Ukrainian vice president Mykhailo Fedorov sent a letter pleading with DJI CEO and founder Frank Wang to stop selling products to Russia. Fedorov said the Russian army was using an extended version of the DJI AeroScope drone detection program and that DJI products were being used to kill civilians.

Last month, German electronics retailer MediaMarkt removed DJI drones from its shelves over claims the Chinese firm was leaking data on Ukrainian military positions to Russia, an allegation DJI called "utterly false."

DJI said that while it had noticed footage online that suggested the Russian military was using its drones, it had not been able to confirm this and had no control over the use of its products. The company recently put out a statement saying it does not sell drones for military use, and its distributors, resellers, and other business partners have agreed not to sell its products for this purpose or help modify them for the military.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/94368-dji-suspends-sales-russia-ukraine-prevent-use-drones.html

 

[nismo91]

Why do I get the feeling that this is not what it seems. there's always hidden agenda when it comes to this sort of "action".

 

[Nobina]

This can at least have a small impact compared to what others have been doing with banning Russian porn sites and whatnot, pointless.

 

[emmzo]

Why do I get the feeling that this is not what it seems. there's always hidden agenda when it comes to this sort of "action".

No, it's not. Think about if a viral video comes up, where a DJI drone is used to visibly kill civilians. And by that I mean hover over for targeting. They will be doomed as a company.

 

[Fearghast]

No, it's not. Think about if a viral video comes up, where a DJI drone is used to visibly kill civilians. And by that I mean hover over for targeting. They will be doomed as a company.

I bet a lot of people that killed someone used a device made by Apple, Google, Garmin, GoPro, Ford, Toyota ... it seems those companies are still around.

 

[Achaios]

You are fools if you think this will have any effect w/e on the Russian Military. What's gonna happen is that the Red Chinese Army will sell them what they need and the Chinese company will sell to the Red Chinese Army.

Rejoice not.

 

[Squid Surprise]

None of these "embargos" have any real effect... it's more the total impact of all of them together having an impact on the "Russian Psyche"... hopefully its citizens start to see what their nation's actions are costing them.

For me, it really shows that DJI must be a kickass drone company - I've owned their Phantom 4 Pro II for a couple years and have to say it's really sweet...

 

[emmzo]

I bet a lot of people that killed someone used a device made by Apple, Google, Garmin, GoPro, Ford, Toyota ... it seems those companies are still around.

You bet? Give me just one example, please! And not someone that killed someone else while wearing a Garmin wristwatch. These drones are used by the military for targeting and the Russians are actively seeking civilians. I thought it was simple. This tech is for civilian use, but has made or could be made to kill civilians. This is unacceptable. Do they use Google maps to target? An Iphone with a timer strapped to a bomb? A GoPro to take beautiful shots when rolling with tanks? Ford, Toyota to carmageddon pedestrians? WTF are you talking about? Maybe Ford building tanks in WWII? That's a completely different thing.

 

[kiwigraeme]

DJI - probably has another company - to handle military stuff - or at least supply parts to companies who make them .
Given the corruption in China and the absolute power some people wield -It would be strange for DJI not to assist Chinese military .

Many of the drones in this conflict are personal use ones - many gifted .
Though - on some fronts anti-drone tech is being deployed - so only the best of the best need apply .

We are moving to robot wars - Lots of devices do all the leg work and it's just a far away operator OKing its target. USA now wants to have as few casualties as possible - so reapers, cruise missiles and private contractors to die outside the official figures

 

[Fearghast]

You bet? Give me just one example, please! And not someone that killed someone else while wearing a Garmin wristwatch. These drones are used by the military for targeting and the Russians are actively seeking civilians. I thought it was simple. This tech is for civilian use, but has made or could be made to kill civilians. This is unacceptable. Do they use Google maps to target? An Iphone with a timer strapped to a bomb? A GoPro to take beautiful shots when rolling with tanks? Ford, Toyota to carmageddon pedestrians? WTF are you talking about? Maybe Ford building tanks in WWII? That's a completely different thing.

Google: Toyota -> Taliban
or Ford -> Taliban
Enjoy

Pretty much every product can be miss-used to hurt people.

 

[TempleOrion]

Google: Toyota -> Taliban
or Ford -> Taliban
Enjoy

Pretty much every product can be miss-used to hurt people.

False equivalence par excellence...