US Lawmakers Propose Ban on DeepSeek for Government Devices
LaHood reinforced the concerns, stating, "DeepSeek, a CCP-affiliated company, must not be allowed to access sensitive government or personal data."
US lawmakers have introduced a bill to prohibit the use of Chinese artificial intelligence program DeepSeek on government devices, citing national security risks.
Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Representative Darin LaHood (R-IL) sponsored the bipartisan bill, warning of “direct ties” between DeepSeek and the Chinese government. They described the AI model as a “serious threat to US national security.”
The legislation follows a report by US cybersecurity firm Feroot Security, which discovered hidden code in DeepSeek’s AI model that could transmit user data to China Mobile, a state-owned telecommunications company.
DeepSeek, a Chinese startup, disrupted the global AI market last month by launching a low-cost, high-quality chatbot, intensifying competition in the race for AI dominance.
“The Chinese Communist Party has made it clear that it will exploit any tool available to undermine our national security, spread disinformation, and collect data on Americans,” said Gottheimer in a statement.
LaHood reinforced the concerns, stating, “DeepSeek, a CCP-affiliated company, must not be allowed to access sensitive government or personal data.”
The bill comes amid growing international restrictions on DeepSeek.
South Korean ministries and police have blocked the AI model after the company failed to clarify its data management practices.
Australia has also banned DeepSeek on government devices based on security agency recommendations, while France and Italy have expressed concerns over its data policies.
Meanwhile, the US continues to scrutinize Chinese tech firms. Video-sharing platform TikTok faces a legal mandate to sever ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or risk a nationwide ban.