Chinese authorities have detained 16 individuals as part of a crackdown on illegal drone activities, amidst concerns over national security. This operation, known as the “Clean Skies” campaign, was initiated by China’s Ministry of Public Security in December 2025 to address the increasing misuse of drones.
The arrests occurred between January and March 2026, with details of 10 cases released on May 18, 2026. The ministry reported that the suspects employed technical methods to aid others in evading restrictions on drone flight altitudes and no-fly zones, leading to significant risks for public safety.
Among the cases highlighted, one in Shanghai involved over 100 drones, with a man named Li, aged 40, allegedly developing software for bypassing restrictions since 2022. He marketed this software on e-commerce platforms, contributing to the disruption of airspace order.