Texas has taken a decisive step in the United States’ ongoing scrutiny of Chinese-owned technology, becoming the first state to ban the AI-powered app DeepSeek over national security concerns officially. Governor Greg Abbott signed an executive order prohibiting the app’s use on all state-issued devices, citing the risk of espionage and unauthorised data access by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Governor Abbott defended the ban, stating, “Texas will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate our state’s critical infrastructure through data-harvesting AI and social media apps.”
Security experts have raised alarms over the app’s data storage practices, pointing out that DeepSeek retains user data on Chinese servers, making it vulnerable to Beijing’s strict data-sharing laws. Under Chinese regulations, companies are obligated to share data with the government upon request, intensifying concerns about potential surveillance and intelligence gathering.
The US government has already responded to these concerns at the federal level, with agencies such as the US Navy, NASA, and other federal bodies banning DeepSeek from all military and government devices.
Texas’ move is part of a wider international backlash against DeepSeek, as several nations have taken similar steps to limit or ban the app due to data privacy concerns.
Italy
The Italian Data Protection Authority imposed a nationwide ban, removing DeepSeek from Apple and Google app stores while launching an investigation into its compliance with European Union data protection laws.
Taiwan
The Ministry of Digital Affairs banned DeepSeek on government devices and issued a warning to private businesses in critical infrastructure sectors, urging them to limit their exposure.
Australia
The Australian government officially banned DeepSeek on February 4, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke calling it a serious national security threat and enforcing a nationwide prohibition.
Experts suggest that Congress may soon introduce legislation targeting DeepSeek and similar apps, following the precedent set by the restrictions on TikTok over the past few years.
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