Amid growing concerns over user data security, US lawmakers introduced a bill on Thursday to ban the Chinese artificial intelligence program DeepSeek from being used on government devices. The bipartisan move comes after allegations that the AI model has “direct ties” to the Chinese government and poses an “alarming threat to US national security.”
The bill, introduced by Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Representative Darin LaHood (R-IL), follows a report by US cybersecurity firm Feroot Security, which found that DeepSeek contains hidden code capable of transmitting user data to China Mobile, a state-owned telecom company.
Concerns Over DeepSeek’s Data Practices
DeepSeek, a Chinese startup, recently gained international attention after launching a high-quality, low-cost AI chatbot that challenged the technological edge held by the United States and its allies. However, US officials fear that the technology could be exploited by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for espionage and disinformation.
“The CCP has made it abundantly clear that it will exploit any tool at its disposal to undermine our national security, spread harmful disinformation, and collect data on Americans,” Gottheimer stated.
LaHood echoed these concerns, calling DeepSeek a “CCP-affiliated company” and asserting that “under no circumstances” should it be allowed to access sensitive government or personal data.
Global Actions Against DeepSeek
The US is not alone in its skepticism toward DeepSeek’s data security practices. Several other nations have taken similar steps:
- South Korea: Government ministries and police have blocked DeepSeek’s access to official systems after the company failed to respond to a watchdog inquiry about its data handling.
- Australia: Banned DeepSeek from all government devices following security agency recommendations.
- France & Italy: Raised concerns over DeepSeek’s data collection policies, though no official bans have been announced yet.
Broader US Efforts Against Chinese Tech Firms
The move to ban DeepSeek follows similar actions against Chinese tech companies, including the ongoing legal battle over TikTok. The US recently passed a law requiring TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest its US operations or face a nationwide ban.
With rising tensions between Washington and Beijing over AI dominance and cybersecurity, the DeepSeek ban could be a precursor to further restrictions on Chinese technology in the US.
Sources By Agencies
