INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightUS DoIImage caption
The department manages US natural resources and oversees federal land
More than 800 drones have been grounded by the US Department of the Interior (DoI) over concerns they could be used to aid Chinese
spying.All the grounded drones were made in China or use Chinese parts, the Wall Street Journal reports.The call to stop using the
autonomous craft was made by Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, who also ordered a review of the security risks they pose.Only drones
helping in emergencies will be allowed to fly.The Department of the Interior uses drones extensively to look after federal territories and
manages the nation's natural resources.Drones help keep an eye on dams, inspect land, monitor environmental damage and endangered species
They also help emergency workers manage wildfires, floods and other natural disasters.The memo from Mr Bernhardt said a decision about
whether the drones could be used again would be made once the security investigation had been completed.Technology news website The Verge
reported the agency was concerned the drones could transmit images and video to China about key installations, which may leave them open to
future attacks.American politicians are currently debating a bill that would stop government bodies and agencies buying Chinese made or
developed drones.The DoI action follows a warning issued in May by the country's Cyber-security and Infrastructure Security Agency
In a memo, it said the US had "strong concerns" about the growing number of Chinese drones used by government agencies.Soon after,
drone-maker DJI, which has a 70% share of the US market, said customers had "full and complete control" over what was done with the data its
In August 2017, the US Army prohibited troops from using DJI's drones, because of unspecified cyber-security concerns.The decision is part
of a larger US government push to limit how much Chinese technology is used in America
As well as trade tariffs, this action has also involved stopping Chinese telecoms giant Huawei operating in the US
