US Lawmakers Urge State Ban on Chinese AI App DeepSeek Over Security Risks
TL/DR –
Concerns about the Chinese artificial intelligence app DeepSeek’s data privacy and cybersecurity risks have led US Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Darin LaHood to propose a ban on the app on all government devices. The two lawmakers have warned that the app, which has code that allows user login information to be transferred to China Mobile, could provide foreign adversaries with access to sensitive government information. Texas, New York and Virginia have already banned DeepSeek on state government devices.
US Lawmakers Urge Statewide Ban on Chinese AI App DeepSeek
As concerns about the Chinese artificial intelligence app DeepSeek grow, US lawmakers Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., and Darin LaHood, R-Ill., are advising governors nationwide to ban the app on state government devices. They highlight potential risks regarding data privacy, cybersecurity, and foreign adversaries gaining access to confidential information.
In a letter penned to 47 governors and Washington, D.C.’s mayor, shared first with NBC News, both lawmakers express their concerns. Gottheimer and LaHood have already taken action at the federal level by sponsoring a bill to ban DeepSeek from all federal government devices, echoed by a similar bill introduced in the Senate recently.
Their appeal comes in light of a report by The Associated Press indicating that the app could transmit user login data to China Mobile, a massive state-owned telecommunications company banned from operating in the US. Furthermore, DeepSeek admits to storing user data on servers located within China.
The lawmakers caution that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) could use DeepSeek to pilfer American user data. Their letter reads, “The CCP 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.” They also reference past concerns about companies tied to the CCP, such as Huawei and Byte Dance, that threaten national security.
States like Texas, New York, and Virginia have already banned DeepSeek on their state government devices after a warning from the congressional administration office. The lawmakers insist that other states should follow suit to ensure heightened security and prevent sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands.
Despite brushing off accusations of data misuse in the past, the Chinese government ensures that it respects and legally protects data privacy and security. However, Given the high stakes, Gottheimer and LaHood implore that state governments should not take the risk.
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