quickutilities – A new bipartisan bill introduced in the House Intelligence Committee seeks to ban the use of DeepSeek AI chatbot on all US government-issued devices. Lawmakers cite national security risks and potential ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as primary reasons for the proposed ban.
The legislation, called the No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act, is being co-sponsored by Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Representative Darin LaHood (R-IL). Both lawmakers argue that DeepSeek’s AI system could expose sensitive government data to Chinese state-controlled entities.
Security Concerns and Lawmakers’ Statements
Representative Josh Gottheimer emphasized the threat posed by the CCP. Stating that China has a history of using technology to undermine US national security, spread disinformation, and collect American data.
“We simply can’t risk the CCP infiltrating government devices and jeopardizing our national security,” Gottheimer said.
If passed, the bill would require all federal agencies to remove DeepSeek AI from government networks within 60 days. Additionally, it would prevent any future installations of the chatbot on official government devices.
This proposal reflects growing concerns in Washington over foreign-controlled AI systems potentially compromising US data security and cyber defense. Lawmakers continue to push for stricter regulations on AI technologies with international ties. Aiming to protect national interests and sensitive government communications.
DeepSeek Ban Mirrors US Crackdown on Foreign Tech Over Data Security Risks
The proposed ban on DeepSeek AI follows the US government’s past actions against TikTok. Which was banned from federal devices in 2022 due to security concerns. Lawmakers had argued that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, could share US user data with Chinese authorities. Leading to strict regulatory measures. Now, similar national security fears are driving efforts to block DeepSeek AI from government networks.
DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, has rapidly gained international attention for developing advanced large language models (LLMs) that rival those from OpenAI, Google, and Meta. The company’s DeepSeek-V3 and R1 models offer high-quality AI responses with lower computational costs.
DeepSeek’s latest model, R1, has drawn interest for reportedly outperforming OpenAI’s GPT-4o in reasoning tasks. While its advancements impress AI researchers, US lawmakers worry about potential risks if the AI system is used on government devices.
Legislators fear that DeepSeek’s AI could expose sensitive government data to Chinese state-controlled entities. The No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act, if passed, would require federal agencies to remove DeepSeek AI within 60 days and prohibit future installations.
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Bans Over Security Concerns and Alleged Links to Chinese Government
Despite DeepSeek’s growing success, concerns over its alleged ties to the Chinese government have prompted security warnings and bans in multiple countries. A recent cybersecurity analysis by Canadian security firm Feroot Security uncovered hidden scripts in DeepSeek’s chatbot application. Which reportedly transmit user data to China Mobile, a state-owned telecom company with documented links to the Chinese military.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has already banned China Mobile from operating in the US. Heightening concerns about DeepSeek’s data storage practices. Reports indicate that the chatbot stores sensitive user data, including conversations, uploaded documents, and proprietary business information. Raising fears that Chinese authorities could access this data under China’s strict cybersecurity laws.
US Government Agencies Take Action Against DeepSeek
While the No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act is still in its early stages, several US federal agencies and military branches have already moved to block DeepSeek from their networks. The Pentagon restricted access to the chatbot after security officials discovered that employees had used DeepSeek’s servers on government computers for two days before intervention.
The Defense Information Systems Agency, responsible for Pentagon cybersecurity, immediately blocked DeepSeek’s website to prevent further access. Additionally, the US Navy and NASA conducted their own security assessments and issued internal bans on DeepSeek. At the state level, Texas became the first US state to ban DeepSeek on all government-owned devices.
Global Bans on DeepSeek Expand
The US is not alone in its efforts to restrict DeepSeek over security concerns. Italy, South Korea, and Australia have implemented government-wide bans on the chatbot, prohibiting public officials from using it on government devices.
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued a formal warning to government officials, urging them to avoid using AI tools like DeepSeek and ChatGPT for official tasks, citing the risk of sensitive data exposure.
As security concerns grow, more governments may follow suit, limiting DeepSeek’s global expansion and influence.
