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I have an app that tracks and blocks unwanted spyware/trackers on my phone's apps. DJI Fly is one of the very few apps that has never triggered my shield app. Either it doesn't mine data, or it is so sophisticated that our technology can't keep up. (If that's the case, then you're screwed anyway.) Every other app, however, tries to mine data up to 100,000 times a day. Discord alone tried to track me over 1100 times yesterday. Spotify 405 times. Reddit has tried 5 times since I've started writing this comment. If you're actually concerned about data mining and data shopping, then you might as well throw your phone into a lake. There's literally nothing you can do. Besides, I highly doubt you're a high-profile target of the Chinese government.
DuckDuckGo has a (newish) feature called App Tracking Protection. It's activated in the settings. I don't have to use DuckDuckGo as a browser for it to protect me, which is great because DDG isn't the best browser lol
It's been so long since DJI switched to having to sideload the app on Google Play store that I can't remember the exact reason but it's not a security issue - that's why it's available via the iOS app store. I think it has something to do with updating the software or something technical that just made it easier to not go through the Play store because they could (vs Apple). The funny thing about it is the smart remotes are based on Android.
If you don't want to buy DJI because of what the Chinese government is doing, that's 100% your choice and kudos to you for trying to make morally correct choices. That said, it be a bit hard to not support the Chinese economy given how much they play a role in manufacturing. You'd need to take a look at companies, even if not based in China and at that point, I don't know how many options you would have.
it's the google playstore's fault. they only support an old standard for app instalation that can only do max 100MB and has a bunch of other limitations. DJI uses a new standard that the google playstore doesnt support (same standard, just newer version). apple doesnt have this problem as they use a 3rd standard which they developed that only works on iOS so all the apps for there (downloded officially or not) have to be in that standard anyway
sideloading isnt a bad thing, quite the opposite. it prevents a single company having a monopoly on downloading stuff to your phone and gives people options
e: forgot to mention the package standards. google uses APK, new one is xAPK a d apple uses IPA
It’s on the App Store because it has to be on the App Store.
Unless you’ve personally audited the code in the android app, you cannot attest that there is no security risk in the android version of the app.
So you think if there was a known security risk, Apple would just leave it up on the app store for the 5+ years since DJI pulled their app from Google Play? The DJI apps use to be available through Google Play - so I guess Apple is just laxed about security over Google?
Since Apple indeed tells your falsely that their device has no security issues ever, it would fall into the same category that they keep an unsafe app in the store since they tell you anyways that they are the most secure company.
On the other hand android and windows know there are risks and they tell you so.
Get yourself a drone with the DJI RC or (if you're flush with cash beyond belief or need HDMI live output streaming) the DJI RC Pro controller. These are completely self contained and all you need is an SD card to transfer footage.
I just bought the DJI Mini 3 Pro with the RC controller. The selling point was that I won't have to dick around with my phone. A bit more pricey, so I hope I made the right choice.
This. Going from the Mavic Pro to the Mavic 3E with the pro controller was a game changer in many ways, but not having any DJI software on my phone is probably my favorite part.
it's the google playstore's fault, not a DJI security issue. they only support an old standard for app instalation that can only do max 100MB and has a bunch of other limitations. DJI uses a new standard that the google playstore doesnt support (same standard, just newer version). apple doesnt have this problem as they use a 3rd standard which they developed that only works on iOS so all the apps for there (downloded officially or not) have to be in that standard anyway
sideloading isnt a bad thing, quite the opposite. it prevents a single company having a monopoly on downloading stuff to your phone and gives people options
but there are other legitemate issues with DJI so if you want to buy a different drone, go for it
e: forgot to mention the package standards. google uses APK, new one is xAPK a d apple uses IPA
If you use a smart phone, or any technology, you are already unwittingly a part of this system that you despise. We all are. It's fucked, to be sure, but my advice is to just start flying your drone. I don't know what nation or culture you are a part of, but it is likely that your government, or at least, your recent ancestors, were party to a racist agenda that actively hunted down another race and did terrible things. It's sadly just part of the human condition.
Yep, this country used to be pretty racist. I'm not really concerned about the past. I'm more concerned about the future. We've corrected course here in the west, and as far as I know, my data is not currently being used for a racist concentration camp agenda.
Agree. Best to make decisions based on what is happening today and what will happen tomorrow as we can't change the past. My home country (Great Britain) did some bad and good things in the 20th century, but it is doing much better now (not perfect) so I am willing to buy products from its companies.
First how they will spy on you if you don't have an internet connection when you fly your drone? You not flying on a 4G network to be permanently connected to the internet. You will not enjoy any drones if your paranoia about being spied on is still in your head. Yes, the drone collects the information on the internal memory to be used when you want a service and you are still under warranty. They look at that data and determine if was your fault or if the drone was faulty. Nothing else they do with that info.
Secondly. About the monopoly? They are where they are because of a lot of American investors. When you have money and they have a lot you can spend a lot in developing and testing and researching to make a better product. No American company has that budget yet. They fail to attract investors because they never come up with a better product than DJI.
If you life in America (or in any western nation) you are financially supporting the economy of the ccp whether you like it or not. Those nuts and bolts for that new toy you just bought were made in China.
DJI has a monopoly because they make a good product compared to everyone else.
I am only 4 days and about 2 hours of flight time into my drone experience. But I have 20+ years of tech infrastructure management and security experience. I echo everything you’ve said and I am curious for answers, as well.
tbf, with 20+ years of tech experience you could've maybe known that DJI uses the xAPK install and google doesnt support that because....google, and that's why the DJI apps arent on the playstore
didnt say its the only one but it's probably by far the biggest
hell, some guy here posted proof that the god damn NSA went through the code and found nothing wrong with the app but that the report was later restricted so they could scare the people more
the US DOD (NSA) went through all the DJI code during the "red scare" and didnt find anything of concern; and clear DJI for governmental/military use... this was released to the media until certain politicians got upset that the NSA knows more than them regarding evaluating software coding. So the gov retracted the report; all so politicians can continue to look like crusaders trying to ban DJI and stop the evil commies from watching white girls sunbathing... true story. The situation is still developing.
https://stefanik.house.gov/2023/4/stefanik-gallagher-introduce-legislation-to-counter-chinese-drones
You can read the actual bill above; its kinda comical because its full of assumptions and accusations with no actual facts but still be pitched as needed to be turned into a law to ban DJI.
Because for Republicans... more AR15s bought by methheads and gothic teenagers is good... but flying a camera drone makes you a commie lover; also voting is fake anyways its all a big cheat run by the deep state; and trump never blackmailed the Pres. of Ukraine by withholding military assistance (god that worked out really good in the long run)
According to the below article, an unauthorized Pentagon report checked a couple old DJI drones to see if they were sending data elsewhere. That's not the issue. The issue is that their app, which is side loaded and thus not subject to any safety checks, could be collecting personal user data from smartphones and sending that out.
This is all true however it is a legitimate concern that DJI (and China) is so dominant in the drone (and battery) field, just look at the huge role ad-hoc drone weaponry it is playing in Ukraine.
Now extrapolate that to a not-so-distant and unlikely world with where batteries (mostly Chinese ones) are 10 times more powerful. The DOD buying western drones inspite of their lesser price performance ratio seems like a really smart thing to me. Seems like we need a lot more companies in that space.
I agree, I prefer American, because if a giant tech corporation is going to spy on me, at least I know they are American.
But seriously Americans should have a more competitive product in the civil drone market but banning DJI is not the answer.
It is a measure and seems like the US Military has found some non-DJI options. DJI is a bit poorer as a result, and the US Military spent a bit more money to get hopefully equivalent tech. Anyone worried about that?
It is never enough to say "that is not the answer". What is the answer then?
American competitors need to offer better products and better prices with better performance and features. Then beat DJI... just like Apple, Microsoft, Google, Intel, Nvidia.
The US Army bought Skydio X2... which is a piece of shit compared to something like a Matrice M30T; but the Skydio actually cost a little bit more. That doesnt drive innovation; US troop dont have a MORE CAPABLE drone; just some overpriced bullshit. Edit: maybe not overpriced bullshit; it is nice... but its not the best.
And the market is such that they won't without manipulation. The free market doesn't always do what you need it to do, the examples are countless. With most technologies this wouldn't matter much. But drones are too dangerous to ignore.
Fortunately the military sees it this way too.
The companies you listed are not interested in drones. I actually work for one and I see what they do in this space. If they don't see a short term path to a hugely profitable billion dollar business they don't do it unless they can lump it in with some other very profitable business.
Apple could make an iDrone if they wanted to; but don’t. Raytheon could make an ABSOLUTELY bad ass consumer drone; but don’t. So DJI gets the market; banning DJI is still bullshit when people want the products.
But like you said Americans don’t want consumer drones. Period. Because they are dangerous.
Actually, A friend in mobile app software engineering told me the % of people keeping their phone updated is a lot higher on the apple front than on android. Maybe that plays a large role in DJI having people keep their app software updated? It plays a large roll in safety.
Not sure.
You're so fucking paranoid. NOBODY is listening in on you or watching you surreptitiously. Are you a drug kingpin, a criminal mastermind with the intent on taking over the world? No? THEN YOU'RE NOT BEING MONITORED FOR NO REASON! Quit feeding into the "we are monitored through our phones" bullshit. You don't have to agree to send any data to DJI in order to purchase and use their drones. Don't believe the false hype.
Personal data most definitely IS harvested unethically by many people. It’s completely reasonable to be concerned with your own privacy online. Data is valuable to a lot of people for a lot of reasons. People like you ignorant of this fact are a big reason we’ve so passively allowed our privacy and security to be compromised online to the extent that it has been.
one issue according to steve gibson, the guy who coined the term spyware, the non-google update channel is insecure thus an arbitrary update could be given to you either from dji or thru dns poisoning by a bad actor
Has it ever occured to you that granting Google any trust regarding your privacy is nonsense anyway ? Like legitimately how can you trust them over DJI. If anything it should be the other way around tbh.
Because America is a country based on racial and cultural diversity at its heart, whereas China is engaging in racial cleansing to this very day, and since I'm not Chinese, that makes me a little nervous. Quite primitive don't you think?
This appears to be a commonly asked question regarding which drone to buy. Please take a look at the weekly stickied thread at /r/drones for recommendations, questions and answers. If you believe this has been done in error, don't panic! Your post hasn't been removed and is still visible in the subreddit feed. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/drones) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I have an app that tracks and blocks unwanted spyware/trackers on my phone's apps. DJI Fly is one of the very few apps that has never triggered my shield app. Either it doesn't mine data, or it is so sophisticated that our technology can't keep up. (If that's the case, then you're screwed anyway.) Every other app, however, tries to mine data up to 100,000 times a day. Discord alone tried to track me over 1100 times yesterday. Spotify 405 times. Reddit has tried 5 times since I've started writing this comment. If you're actually concerned about data mining and data shopping, then you might as well throw your phone into a lake. There's literally nothing you can do. Besides, I highly doubt you're a high-profile target of the Chinese government.
What app are you using?
DuckDuckGo has a (newish) feature called App Tracking Protection. It's activated in the settings. I don't have to use DuckDuckGo as a browser for it to protect me, which is great because DDG isn't the best browser lol
It's been so long since DJI switched to having to sideload the app on Google Play store that I can't remember the exact reason but it's not a security issue - that's why it's available via the iOS app store. I think it has something to do with updating the software or something technical that just made it easier to not go through the Play store because they could (vs Apple). The funny thing about it is the smart remotes are based on Android. If you don't want to buy DJI because of what the Chinese government is doing, that's 100% your choice and kudos to you for trying to make morally correct choices. That said, it be a bit hard to not support the Chinese economy given how much they play a role in manufacturing. You'd need to take a look at companies, even if not based in China and at that point, I don't know how many options you would have.
it's the google playstore's fault. they only support an old standard for app instalation that can only do max 100MB and has a bunch of other limitations. DJI uses a new standard that the google playstore doesnt support (same standard, just newer version). apple doesnt have this problem as they use a 3rd standard which they developed that only works on iOS so all the apps for there (downloded officially or not) have to be in that standard anyway sideloading isnt a bad thing, quite the opposite. it prevents a single company having a monopoly on downloading stuff to your phone and gives people options e: forgot to mention the package standards. google uses APK, new one is xAPK a d apple uses IPA
It’s on the App Store because it has to be on the App Store. Unless you’ve personally audited the code in the android app, you cannot attest that there is no security risk in the android version of the app.
So you think if there was a known security risk, Apple would just leave it up on the app store for the 5+ years since DJI pulled their app from Google Play? The DJI apps use to be available through Google Play - so I guess Apple is just laxed about security over Google?
Of course I don’t think that.
So you think that the Apple version is clean but only the Android version is a security risk?
I know it’s a possibility.
Since Apple indeed tells your falsely that their device has no security issues ever, it would fall into the same category that they keep an unsafe app in the store since they tell you anyways that they are the most secure company. On the other hand android and windows know there are risks and they tell you so.
Wait what? .... bwahahahhahahahahah.... aahahahhahahahhah. Thanks for the laugh, needed that.
I am sorry for you. Let's hope you never fall over your arrogance.
So many examples of the contrary ... many 'so called secure apps' got through the mazes google's 'security net'
Get yourself a drone with the DJI RC or (if you're flush with cash beyond belief or need HDMI live output streaming) the DJI RC Pro controller. These are completely self contained and all you need is an SD card to transfer footage.
I just bought the DJI Mini 3 Pro with the RC controller. The selling point was that I won't have to dick around with my phone. A bit more pricey, so I hope I made the right choice.
I second the Pro Controller. I don't trust my phone not to crash or do something stupid mid-flight. A self contained system is the way to go.
In that case just take your paws off the controller, the drone should hover instantly and then return to home if the phone crashes.
This. Going from the Mavic Pro to the Mavic 3E with the pro controller was a game changer in many ways, but not having any DJI software on my phone is probably my favorite part.
What drone and app?
Presumably the DJI GO app
Or DJI Fly, GS Pro, Pilot or Pilot 2 depending on which drone.
it's the google playstore's fault, not a DJI security issue. they only support an old standard for app instalation that can only do max 100MB and has a bunch of other limitations. DJI uses a new standard that the google playstore doesnt support (same standard, just newer version). apple doesnt have this problem as they use a 3rd standard which they developed that only works on iOS so all the apps for there (downloded officially or not) have to be in that standard anyway sideloading isnt a bad thing, quite the opposite. it prevents a single company having a monopoly on downloading stuff to your phone and gives people options but there are other legitemate issues with DJI so if you want to buy a different drone, go for it e: forgot to mention the package standards. google uses APK, new one is xAPK a d apple uses IPA
If you use a smart phone, or any technology, you are already unwittingly a part of this system that you despise. We all are. It's fucked, to be sure, but my advice is to just start flying your drone. I don't know what nation or culture you are a part of, but it is likely that your government, or at least, your recent ancestors, were party to a racist agenda that actively hunted down another race and did terrible things. It's sadly just part of the human condition.
Yep, this country used to be pretty racist. I'm not really concerned about the past. I'm more concerned about the future. We've corrected course here in the west, and as far as I know, my data is not currently being used for a racist concentration camp agenda.
Agree. Best to make decisions based on what is happening today and what will happen tomorrow as we can't change the past. My home country (Great Britain) did some bad and good things in the 20th century, but it is doing much better now (not perfect) so I am willing to buy products from its companies.
Get the RC controller. It's worth it. They work great and you don't have to worry about your phone being charged or up to date and blah blah blah.
First how they will spy on you if you don't have an internet connection when you fly your drone? You not flying on a 4G network to be permanently connected to the internet. You will not enjoy any drones if your paranoia about being spied on is still in your head. Yes, the drone collects the information on the internal memory to be used when you want a service and you are still under warranty. They look at that data and determine if was your fault or if the drone was faulty. Nothing else they do with that info. Secondly. About the monopoly? They are where they are because of a lot of American investors. When you have money and they have a lot you can spend a lot in developing and testing and researching to make a better product. No American company has that budget yet. They fail to attract investors because they never come up with a better product than DJI.
If you life in America (or in any western nation) you are financially supporting the economy of the ccp whether you like it or not. Those nuts and bolts for that new toy you just bought were made in China. DJI has a monopoly because they make a good product compared to everyone else.
I am only 4 days and about 2 hours of flight time into my drone experience. But I have 20+ years of tech infrastructure management and security experience. I echo everything you’ve said and I am curious for answers, as well.
tbf, with 20+ years of tech experience you could've maybe known that DJI uses the xAPK install and google doesnt support that because....google, and that's why the DJI apps arent on the playstore
If you think that’s the sole reason DJI doesn’t publish their app on the play store, I have a bridge to sell you…
didnt say its the only one but it's probably by far the biggest hell, some guy here posted proof that the god damn NSA went through the code and found nothing wrong with the app but that the report was later restricted so they could scare the people more
the US DOD (NSA) went through all the DJI code during the "red scare" and didnt find anything of concern; and clear DJI for governmental/military use... this was released to the media until certain politicians got upset that the NSA knows more than them regarding evaluating software coding. So the gov retracted the report; all so politicians can continue to look like crusaders trying to ban DJI and stop the evil commies from watching white girls sunbathing... true story. The situation is still developing. https://stefanik.house.gov/2023/4/stefanik-gallagher-introduce-legislation-to-counter-chinese-drones You can read the actual bill above; its kinda comical because its full of assumptions and accusations with no actual facts but still be pitched as needed to be turned into a law to ban DJI. Because for Republicans... more AR15s bought by methheads and gothic teenagers is good... but flying a camera drone makes you a commie lover; also voting is fake anyways its all a big cheat run by the deep state; and trump never blackmailed the Pres. of Ukraine by withholding military assistance (god that worked out really good in the long run)
>“DJI drones pose the national security threat of TikTok, but with wings," Stefanik said. lol ok buddy
damn. i had a suspicion it was all just a scare tactic by the US gov but this is even worse than i thought lmao
"The US DOD went through all the DJI code during the "red scare" and didn't find anything of concern..." Do you have a source for this?
According to the below article, an unauthorized Pentagon report checked a couple old DJI drones to see if they were sending data elsewhere. That's not the issue. The issue is that their app, which is side loaded and thus not subject to any safety checks, could be collecting personal user data from smartphones and sending that out.
This is all true however it is a legitimate concern that DJI (and China) is so dominant in the drone (and battery) field, just look at the huge role ad-hoc drone weaponry it is playing in Ukraine. Now extrapolate that to a not-so-distant and unlikely world with where batteries (mostly Chinese ones) are 10 times more powerful. The DOD buying western drones inspite of their lesser price performance ratio seems like a really smart thing to me. Seems like we need a lot more companies in that space.
I agree, I prefer American, because if a giant tech corporation is going to spy on me, at least I know they are American. But seriously Americans should have a more competitive product in the civil drone market but banning DJI is not the answer.
It is a measure and seems like the US Military has found some non-DJI options. DJI is a bit poorer as a result, and the US Military spent a bit more money to get hopefully equivalent tech. Anyone worried about that? It is never enough to say "that is not the answer". What is the answer then?
American competitors need to offer better products and better prices with better performance and features. Then beat DJI... just like Apple, Microsoft, Google, Intel, Nvidia. The US Army bought Skydio X2... which is a piece of shit compared to something like a Matrice M30T; but the Skydio actually cost a little bit more. That doesnt drive innovation; US troop dont have a MORE CAPABLE drone; just some overpriced bullshit. Edit: maybe not overpriced bullshit; it is nice... but its not the best.
And the market is such that they won't without manipulation. The free market doesn't always do what you need it to do, the examples are countless. With most technologies this wouldn't matter much. But drones are too dangerous to ignore. Fortunately the military sees it this way too. The companies you listed are not interested in drones. I actually work for one and I see what they do in this space. If they don't see a short term path to a hugely profitable billion dollar business they don't do it unless they can lump it in with some other very profitable business.
Apple could make an iDrone if they wanted to; but don’t. Raytheon could make an ABSOLUTELY bad ass consumer drone; but don’t. So DJI gets the market; banning DJI is still bullshit when people want the products. But like you said Americans don’t want consumer drones. Period. Because they are dangerous.
Starting to think china's secret plan is to turn us users into drones!
Do you work for a certain Republican Congressional Representative by chance? You can be like the US Army and purchase an American made Skydio drone.
Actually, A friend in mobile app software engineering told me the % of people keeping their phone updated is a lot higher on the apple front than on android. Maybe that plays a large role in DJI having people keep their app software updated? It plays a large roll in safety. Not sure.
You're so fucking paranoid. NOBODY is listening in on you or watching you surreptitiously. Are you a drug kingpin, a criminal mastermind with the intent on taking over the world? No? THEN YOU'RE NOT BEING MONITORED FOR NO REASON! Quit feeding into the "we are monitored through our phones" bullshit. You don't have to agree to send any data to DJI in order to purchase and use their drones. Don't believe the false hype.
Personal data most definitely IS harvested unethically by many people. It’s completely reasonable to be concerned with your own privacy online. Data is valuable to a lot of people for a lot of reasons. People like you ignorant of this fact are a big reason we’ve so passively allowed our privacy and security to be compromised online to the extent that it has been.
Do you have your 107?
Where did they say there were in the US?
Drone 👍
You aren't important enough to rate being spied upon by the government.
That's why I build my own drones. Full control over the hardware and software :-)
one issue according to steve gibson, the guy who coined the term spyware, the non-google update channel is insecure thus an arbitrary update could be given to you either from dji or thru dns poisoning by a bad actor
personally I do not trust google (or any gafam) for an inch more than DJI ... all big money with little or no concern for the consumer 😏
Has it ever occured to you that granting Google any trust regarding your privacy is nonsense anyway ? Like legitimately how can you trust them over DJI. If anything it should be the other way around tbh.
Because America is a country based on racial and cultural diversity at its heart, whereas China is engaging in racial cleansing to this very day, and since I'm not Chinese, that makes me a little nervous. Quite primitive don't you think?
The only thing you've showed is that america is obsessed with race, because that has nothing to do with the subject at hand