A pair of US lawmakers are seeking to ban government workers from using Chinese startup DeepSeek’s artificial intelligence chatbot on official devices.
Reps. Darin LaHood, a Republican from Illinois, and Josh Gottheimer, a New Jersey Democrat, are set to propose legislation on Friday that would ban the use of DeepSeek on government devices over national security concerns.
DeepSeek is just the latest target in a larger battle for tech supremacy between the United States and China.
The attempted crackdown comes weeks after DeepSeek shocked Silicon Valley and Wall Street by releasing an advanced AI model, called R1, with the same capabilities as top American models, despite being cheaper to train and less power-hungry. The model — from a year-old Chinese startup subject to US export restrictions on the most powerful AI chips — has fueled concerns that the United States could fall behind China in AI.
If passed, the proposed bill would give 60 days for government agencies to develop standards and guidelines for removing DeepSeek — as well as any other app developed by its parent company, High Flyer — from official devices.
The proposal follows similar moves by Australia, Italy and Taiwan.
DeepSeek did not respond to a request for comment.
The language in the proposed bill also echoes the legislation that has sought to restrict access to TikTok in the United States over worries that its China-based owner, ByteDance, could be forced to share sensitive US user data with the Chinese government.
Federal and state government agencies began banning the use of TikTok on official devices starting in 2022. And ByteDance now has fewer than 60 days to sell the app before TikTok is banned in the United States, because of a law that was passed with bipartisan support last year and extended by President Donald Trump in January.
“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,” Gottheimer said in a statement. “We simply can’t risk the CCP infiltrating the devices of our government officials and jeopardizing our national security … We’ve seen China’s playbook before with TikTok, and we cannot allow it to happen again.”
Many AI companies use the inputs from users’ conversations with chatbots to train and improve their models, stoking privacy concerns. But security experts have already cautioned that DeepSeek could pose a bigger risk because of its Chinese owner.
“Users need to be aware that any data shared with the platform could be subject to government access under China’s cybersecurity laws, which mandate that companies provide access to data upon request by authorities,” NordVPN cybersecurity expert Adrianus Warmenhoven said in emailed commentary.
The news about US lawmakers wanting to ban DeepSeek (or any specific technology or software) from government devices likely stems from concerns over data security, privacy, and potential risks of foreign interference. I can provide some context based on similar cases involving bans on foreign technology in government systems.
Possible Reasons for a Ban:
National Security Concerns:
Lawmakers may be worried that DeepSeek, if developed or operated by a foreign entity, could be used to collect sensitive government data or facilitate espionage.
This aligns with previous actions against other foreign technologies, such as bans on TikTok or Huawei, due to fears of data being accessed by foreign governments.
Data Privacy Risks:
If DeepSeek processes or stores data on servers located outside the US, there could be concerns about compliance with US data protection laws and the potential for unauthorized access.
Geopolitical Tensions:
In the context of rising geopolitical competition, especially with China, the US has been increasingly cautious about adopting technologies linked to foreign adversaries.
Lack of Transparency:
If DeepSeek’s algorithms, data handling practices, or ownership structure are not transparent, it could raise red flags for government use.
Broader Context:
Precedent with TikTok: The US government has already banned TikTok on federal devices due to concerns about its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, and potential data-sharing with the Chinese government.
Executive Orders and Legislation: The US has implemented measures like Executive Order 13873 (Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain) to restrict the use of foreign technologies deemed risky.
Implications:
If DeepSeek is banned, it could limit its adoption not only in government agencies but also in private sectors that follow government guidelines.
Such bans often spark debates about balancing national security with innovation and global collaboration.
What DeepSeek Could Do:
Increase transparency about data handling and security practices.
Collaborate with US regulators to address concerns and ensure compliance with local laws.
Consider establishing local data centers or partnerships to build trust.
