In the Bundestag, the widespread use of Chinese drones is causing irritation among the authorities. The flying helpers could pose a security risk and pass on sensitive data.
The use of drones has become indispensable for emergency and auxiliary personnel. The flying eye can become a helper in crisis situations. The police, civil defense and disaster protection are increasingly relying on drones from the Chinese manufacturer DJI. The Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) alone now has 90 of the manufacturer's drones in operation, as the Federal Ministry of the Interior informed the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" on request. Another 49 are "in the process of being procured". And police authorities are also using the devices on a larger scale. "The Bavarian police are currently in possession of a large number of drones from the manufacturer," said Bavaria's Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann in response to a question from Green Party member Katharina Schulze.
In the Bundestag, the wide distribution causes irritation. "With the purchase and use of Chinese drones, the functionality of an infrastructure that is important in crises depends on Chinese companies," says Green Party domestic politician Konstantin von Notz of the SZ. "In a conflict with China, that could become a serious problem." Under no circumstances should the devices be used in sensitive security areas, and thus "become a security risk themselves". He appeals to take warnings from the security authorities very seriously," warns von Notz.
Group colleague Leon Eckert also warns that data leaks to the Chinese company cannot always be ruled out. "Due to the manufacturer's updates, the operational capability of these authorities can also come under the influence of the Chinese state." The Greens are demanding immediate consequences. The federal, state and local governments now have to find ways out of the use of Chinese drones for their security authorities, says Eckert. "In the medium term, together with our European partners, we are asked to actively promote the competitive development of security technology in the security sector, including for drones."
The authorities defend the operation against it and consider it safe. At Bavaria's police force, a "Multicopter" working group has developed a comprehensive concept to ensure the safe operation of this manufacturer's drones, primarily with the use of special software, explained Interior Minister Herrmann in his response to the parliamentary question.
The Federal Ministry of the Interior also argues with technical solutions. Data transfer is blocked on these devices. Data leaks are not possible. The Chinese company itself denies that it can become a risk. The data security of all users is "a top priority for the group," explains a spokeswoman. It also makes it clear that the use of drones is not about isolated cases. "Many blue light organizations, such as the police, fire brigade and rescue services in Germany and around the world trust DJI technology," the company said.
