The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has decided to allow updates for banned foreign-made drones and routers until January 1, 2029. This extension, announced on May 8, 2026, gives users of these devices additional time to receive crucial software and firmware updates aimed at protecting US consumers.
The deadline for updates has been pushed back by approximately two years, following the inclusion of uncrewed aircraft systems and foreign-manufactured routers in the FCC’s Covered List in December 2025. Initially, the cutoff for updates on these banned devices was set for March 1, 2027.
The FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) justified this new timeline by stating that "special circumstances warrant a deviation from the general rules." This decision may have been influenced by the Consumer Technology Association, which had previously advocated for a longer update period in its communications with the FCC.