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DJI’s Corporate Web — and How It Triggered a U.S. Tech Crackdown
DJI is the world’s largest drone manufacturer, with its technology used everywhere from real estate footage to military and autonomous systems. But behind its dominance sits a complex corporate structure that has drawn growing attention from U.S. regulators.
What this episode covers
In this episode of Rethinking Tech, we examine how DJI built a network of affiliated entities and shell companies, why U.S. authorities moved to shut down its access to the American market, and how those decisions are now reshaping the global drone industry.
How DJI’s corporate and funding structure evolved
Why drones are treated as sensitive technology
The role of data, sensors, and autonomy in modern systems
Why enforcement went beyond future bans to retroactive action
What this sets in motion for robotics and connected technologies
Why this matters
This isn’t about demonizing a single company or debating geopolitics in the abstract.
It’s about understanding how advanced technologies scale power, how financial and corporate architecture intersects with policy, and why regulators are increasingly focused on who controls the systems behind everyday tools.
Drones are no longer niche devices. They sit at the intersection of consumer tech, surveillance, autonomy, and national security. DJI offers a concrete case study of how technology, governance, and accountability collide — and why the consequences will be felt far beyond one company.
🎙️ About Rethinking Tech
Rethinking Tech explores the intersection of technology, geopolitics, business, and ethics — focusing on how systems actually work, not just how they’re talked about.
We analyze structure, incentives, and consequences — without hype.
🔗 Connect with Us
📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RethinkingTech🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6NYgOPmYW6Ba2LFn3IBST3🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rethinking-tech/id1795651530📸 TikTok: @rethinking_tech💼 LinkedIn: Rethinking Tech Podcast👤 Aparna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparnabhushan/👤 Harinda: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harindak/
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By Rethinking TechDJI is the world’s largest drone manufacturer, with its technology used everywhere from real estate footage to military and autonomous systems. But behind its dominance sits a complex corporate structure that has drawn growing attention from U.S. regulators.
What this episode covers
In this episode of Rethinking Tech, we examine how DJI built a network of affiliated entities and shell companies, why U.S. authorities moved to shut down its access to the American market, and how those decisions are now reshaping the global drone industry.
How DJI’s corporate and funding structure evolved
Why drones are treated as sensitive technology
The role of data, sensors, and autonomy in modern systems
Why enforcement went beyond future bans to retroactive action
What this sets in motion for robotics and connected technologies
Why this matters
This isn’t about demonizing a single company or debating geopolitics in the abstract.
It’s about understanding how advanced technologies scale power, how financial and corporate architecture intersects with policy, and why regulators are increasingly focused on who controls the systems behind everyday tools.
Drones are no longer niche devices. They sit at the intersection of consumer tech, surveillance, autonomy, and national security. DJI offers a concrete case study of how technology, governance, and accountability collide — and why the consequences will be felt far beyond one company.
🎙️ About Rethinking Tech
Rethinking Tech explores the intersection of technology, geopolitics, business, and ethics — focusing on how systems actually work, not just how they’re talked about.
We analyze structure, incentives, and consequences — without hype.
🔗 Connect with Us
📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RethinkingTech🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6NYgOPmYW6Ba2LFn3IBST3🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rethinking-tech/id1795651530📸 TikTok: @rethinking_tech💼 LinkedIn: Rethinking Tech Podcast👤 Aparna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparnabhushan/👤 Harinda: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harindak/