The Ministry of Public Security has issued a warning against the illegal cracking of drone flight control systems, stating that such actions disrupt airspace order and pose significant risks to public and national security.

In recent years, some offenders have bypassed drone safety controls, including restrictions on no-fly zones, restricted areas, and flight altitudes, enabling unauthorized flights, according to the ministry. Cybersecurity departments within public security organs have maintained a tough stance against these activities, particularly those involving hacking of drone flight control systems. The ministry emphasized that providing services to remove drone restrictions, such as no-fly zone or altitude limits, to evade safety supervision is illegal.

The public security authorities cautioned that drones with altitude limits removed may enter civil aviation routes, creating collision risks. Those with flight area restrictions removed may enter military management areas and other no-fly zones, potentially leaking state secrets. Additionally, drones with altered load capacity or other factory-set parameters are more likely to lose control or crash, endangering lives and property.

Police have indicated that illegally cracking drone flight control systems may violate the Criminal Law, constituting crimes such as illegally controlling computer information systems or providing programs and tools for intrusion or illegal control of such systems.

Under China's regulations on unmanned aircraft flight management, those who fly illegally modified drones in controlled airspace may face fines, drone confiscation, or administrative detention. If a crime is constituted, criminal liability will be pursued.

To strengthen public awareness and deterrence, the ministry released 10 typical cases on Monday. In one instance, police in Luzhou, Sichuan province, uncovered a criminal group led by a 29-year-old man surnamed Hou. Since March 2025, the group allegedly used technical means to alter the factory-set load parameters of large drones for illegal profit. Police reported that the modified drones posed serious safety risks, including damage to high-voltage power facilities, crashes under heavy loads, and falling cargo, which could lead to broken power lines, forest fires, or falling objects threatening public safety. In March 2026, police arrested Hou and four other suspects. Investigators found that the group had modified more than 30 large agricultural drones.

In another case, police in Fengxian district, Shanghai, discovered that a 40-year-old man surnamed Li had been making and selling software to remove altitude and other restrictions on drones since 2022. The software was sold through e-commerce platforms. Li was arrested in March 2026, and police found he had cracked more than 100 drones.

"Airspace is not beyond the law, and flying cannot be done at will," the ministry stated, adding that police will continue to crack down on illegal hacking of drone flight control systems and unauthorized flights.