ICE – Da Jiang Innovations (DJI) likely providing U.S. Critical Infrastructure and Law Enforcement Data to Chinese Government

Here we go again, a document purporting to be from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations SAC Intelligence Program Los Angeles dated the 9th of August 2017,  has landed in my inbox.

I am just not sure if this is the real deal or not, and will let you decide dear reader. I will place the DHS-DJI memo here.

Interesting use of the word, likely on the part of ICE. This, of course, is different from proven.

(U//FOUO) Special Agent in Charge Intelligence Program (SIP) Los Angeles is generating this product in response to several requests for information received from the intelligence and law enforcement communities. It is based on information derived from open source reporting and a reliable source within the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry with first and secondhand access. The date of information is 9 August 2017.

(U//LES) SIP Los Angeles assesses with moderate confidence that Chinese-based company DJI Science and Technology is providing U.S. critical infrastructure and law enforcement data to the Chinese government. SIP Los Angeles further assesses with high confidence the company is selectively targeting government and privately owned entities within these sectors to expand its ability to collect and exploit sensitive U.S. data.
(U) Since 2015, DJI has targeted a number of U.S. companies in the critical infrastructure and law enforcement sectors to market its UAS. As of July 2017, at least ten large companies and organizations operating in the railroad, utility, media, farming, education, and federal law enforcement sectors have already purchased and begun using DJI UAS. The most frequent uses include mapping land, inspecting infrastructure, conducting surveillance, and monitoring hazardous materials.

(U//LES) SIP Los Angeles assesses with high confidence the critical infrastructure and law
enforcement entities using DJI systems are collecting sensitive intelligence that the Chinese government could use to conduct physical or cyber attacks against the United States and its population. Alternatively, China could provide DJI information to terrorist organizations, hostile non-state entities, or state-sponsored groups to coordinate attacks against U.S. critical infrastructure. The UAS capture close-up imagery and GPS information on water systems, rail systems, hazardous material storage systems, first responders’ activity, and construction of highways, bridges, and rails.

(U) Tracked by: ICE-10000-17; ICE 15000-17
(U) Reporting Notice: This Intelligence Bulletin was prepared by Homeland Security
Investigations, Los Angeles. Comments and queries may be directed to the Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles Chief Intelligence Officer Mark Porter at
INTEL.SACLA@ice.dhs.gov, or by phone at (562) 256-3411. The Joint Intelligence Operations Center (JIOC) is available 24/7 at 202-732-5156/57, NSTS: 263-2178.