FCC Proposes Forfeitures Against Drone Companies for Non-Compliance
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed $25,000 forfeitures against eight drone-related companies for allegedly failing to respond to investigations by the Enforcement Bureau. These investigations focus on whether the companies marketed equipment subject to U.S. national security restrictions.
Companies Involved
The proposed forfeitures, announced on July 10, target the following companies:
- Cogito Tech Company Limited
- Fikaxo Technology Inc.
- Lyno Dynamics LLC
- Skyhigh Tech LLC
- Spatial Hover Inc.
- SZ Knowact Robot Technology Co., Ltd.
- WaveGo Tech LLC
- Xtra Technology LLC
Each company is accused of failing to respond to a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) requesting information about products that may have been marketed in the United States following updates to the FCC Covered List.
Background of the Investigation
According to reports from PetaPixel and The Verge, independent researchers have linked these companies to the sale of products believed to incorporate or rebrand DJI technology. However, the FCC’s enforcement actions do not confirm these allegations; they focus solely on the companies’ lack of response to official inquiries.
The investigation stems from the FCC’s decision on December 22, 2025, to expand the Covered List to include certain foreign-produced uncrewed aircraft systems and critical drone components identified through a national security assessment. The Enforcement Bureau sought information to determine if the companies had marketed covered radiofrequency equipment in the U.S.
Details of the Enforcement Actions
In the notice regarding Cogito Tech, the FCC indicated that it sought information on whether the company had marketed any radiofrequency (RF) equipment added to the Covered List on December 22, 2025. The agency claims that Cogito did not respond to both the initial LOI and a subsequent deficiency letter requesting the necessary information.
The FCC emphasizes that the proposed forfeitures are based on the companies’ failure to comply with Commission orders rather than any determination of violations related to the Covered List. An LOI is considered an agency order, and non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions.
Significance of the Investigations
The Commission has a duty to investigate allegations involving potential statutory and regulatory violations and will not tolerate a failure to respond to investigative inquiries, particularly when an investigation may involve risks to national security.
The FCC’s investigation was partly informed by publicly available research, including work by security researcher Konrad Iturbe, who analyzed communications protocols used by various drone products. This research contributed to the initiation of the investigation into Cogito.
Next Steps for the Companies
Each Notice of Apparent Liability proposes a $25,000 forfeiture and instructs the recipient to respond to the original Letter of Inquiry. The companies have the option to pay the proposed forfeiture or seek its reduction or cancellation. The FCC has warned that continued failure to respond could lead to further enforcement actions.