Lawmakers Propose Ban on DeepSeek for U.S. Government Devices
New Legislation Proposes Ban on Chinese AI App DeepSeek
In a significant move, a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives has introduced legislation aimed at prohibiting the use of the Chinese artificial intelligence app DeepSeek on federal devices. This proposal mirrors the existing restrictions on the popular social media app TikTok, reflecting growing concerns over data security and national safety.
Details of the Proposed Legislation
Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) unveiled the “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act” on Thursday. The initiative seeks to prevent federal employees from utilizing the DeepSeek app on government-owned electronics, citing the app’s potential for surveillance and spread of misinformation organized by the Chinese government.
Gottheimer emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “The Chinese Communist Party has made it abundantly clear that it will exploit any tool at its disposal to undermine our national security, spew harmful disinformation, and collect data on Americans.” He urged that the risk of compromising government officials’ devices with this app is simply too great.
Why DeepSeek Raises Alarm
DeepSeek, a Chinese software company, has gained recognition for publishing an AI model that competes effectively with those developed by renowned American firms such as OpenAI and Meta. Furthermore, reports indicate that DeepSeek can operate at a significantly lower cost than its U.S. counterparts. A research paper released in January raised alarms, igniting debates among policymakers and experts in Silicon Valley regarding the app’s potential risks.
According to security firm Feroot, DeepSeek may contain code capable of sending user login information to a Chinese state-owned telecommunications firm banned from operating in the United States. Such findings have thrust DeepSeek into the crosshairs of discussions on national security and technology competition between the U.S. and China.
Legislative Context and Comparison with TikTok
This push to ban DeepSeek occurs amidst heightened tensions between the U.S. and China over technological innovation. The U.S. has already introduced tariffs on Chinese goods and restricted companies like Huawei from participating in government contracts. In 2023, the Biden administration also banned TikTok from federal devices after previous efforts during former President Trump’s administration pertained to a potential divestment from its Chinese ownership.
LaHood asserts that this bipartisan bill is a vital step to protect American interests, stating, “The technology race with the Chinese Communist Party is not one the United States can afford to lose.” This legislation seeks to eliminate backdoor access that companies may exploit and highlight the necessity of safeguarding Americans’ data in the realm of AI.
Scope of the Bill
The current proposal specifically targets DeepSeek and any AI applications tied to its parent company, High-Flyer. However, it does allow exceptions for national security and research purposes, permitting federal employees to study DeepSeek if necessary.
International Response to DeepSeek
Other countries are also taking action against DeepSeek due to security concerns. For instance, Italy’s data protection authority recently blocked access to the application, citing the need to protect user data. Meanwhile, Taiwan has banned DeepSeek from government departments, and South Korea has temporarily prohibited employee access to the app. Australia followed suit, implementing a ban on DeepSeek from government systems as well.
In the United States, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered a ban on both DeepSeek and RedNote—an alternative to TikTok—in state government-issued devices, demonstrating a growing consensus on the potential risks associated with these applications.
