Two Additional States Prohibit DeepSeek on State Devices Due to Security Concerns
Alabama Takes a Stand Against DeepSeek AI
In early November, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, along with a group of 21 other state attorneys general, urged Congress to endorse the "No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act." This proposed legislation aims to prohibit the use of DeepSeek, an AI platform developed in China, on government devices across the nation.
Governor Ivey’s Action
Recently, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey officially banned the use of DeepSeek and similar AI technologies from state-owned devices and networks. She communicated this decision in a memo sent to all heads of state agencies and shared with Government Technology. In her memo, Governor Ivey echoed the concerns previously raised by Attorney General Marshall, labeling DeepSeek as a "serious national security threat." She highlighted the risks associated with DeepSeek and Manus, emphasizing their ties to the Chinese government and their extensive data-collection capabilities. According to Ivey, these factors create "unacceptable risks" to the privacy and security of Alabama’s citizens.
Policies Beyond a Ban
The recent policies not only outlaw DeepSeek and Manus but also aim to establish a comprehensive strategy for identifying and blocking other potentially harmful software and websites. While there are exceptions for law enforcement and other essential government services, the main objective of these policies is to safeguard Alabama’s information technology infrastructure from threats linked to countries categorized as foreign countries of concern—this includes China (excluding Taiwan), Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
These new measures coincide with the release of a report from the Governor’s Task Force on Generative Artificial Intelligence, which presented recommendations for enhancing data security within the state’s IT infrastructure. Governor Ivey’s memo confirmed that the ban on DeepSeek and Manus aligns with these safety recommendations.
Growing Support for Bans Nationwide
A trend is emerging where several states are implementing bans on DeepSeek across state government devices and networks. Oklahoma has recently joined this movement, officially prohibiting the use of DeepSeek on state-owned devices. This decision followed a review mandated by Governor Kevin Stitt. The Office of Management and Enterprise Services assessed the risks associated with DeepSeek and concluded that the tool posed too many security threats to remain in use. These threats included concerns over chat history being stored in China, which contradicts state standards for data storage, as well as the potential for adversarial manipulation and a lack of strong security measures.
Governor Stitt’s Remarks
Governor Stitt expressed that the ban was essential for protecting sensitive information from foreign adversaries. He stated, “We’re not going to take chances when it comes to protecting Oklahomans’ data.” The decision was driven by substantial concerns regarding DeepSeek’s methods of data handling, including the storage of chat histories, documents, and IP addresses in China.
Conclusion
With the increasing scrutiny of foreign technologies, especially those linked to countries considered potential threats, Alabama and Oklahoma are leading the way in safeguarding their state’s data integrity. As more states evaluate the security implications of using AI tools like DeepSeek, it’s likely that further bans and regulations will follow suit, reshaping the landscape of technology use in governmental systems.
