Us lawmakers want deepseek banned from government devices due to security concerns

U.S. lawmakers are taking a strong stance against China’s DeepSeek AI chatbot, aiming to ban it from all government devices. The move, initiated by Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Darin LaHood (R-IL), is prompted by alarming revelations that DeepSeek’s code sends user data directly to a state-owned Chinese company, China Mobile. This initiative comes on the heels of a cybersecurity analysis by Feroot Security, which claims that DeepSeek poses not just a risk to American users’ privacy but also a potential threat to U.S. national security.

The proposed legislation, titled the “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act,” aims to prevent the chatbot, which has become one of the most downloaded applications in the U.S., from being used on any device belonging to government employees. This upcoming bill reflects previous congressional efforts to protect American interests, similar to 2022’s political push to block TikTok from government tools due to similar security concerns. Those efforts echo the broader apprehensions regarding foreign technology infiltrating critical U.S. infrastructure.

In a recent statement, LaHood emphasized the national security implications of the app, citing its links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He described the data acquisition practices of DeepSeek as alarming, asserting that any sensitive data generated by American users could potentially be manipulated or misused by the CCP. Following the revealed connections to Chinese state-owned telecom agencies, both lawmakers expressed their commitment to safeguarding U.S. data against foreign espionage tactics.

The spotlight on DeepSeek intensified after it was revealed that multiple independent cybersecurity experts corroborated the findings of Feroot Security. Analysts stated that the code architecture facilitates direct links between user data and servers in China, potentially transmitting sensitive information without the knowledge or consent of the users. Feroot’s lead analyst voiced strong concerns, stressing that the mechanisms behind DeepSeek’s operations posed an unprecedented risk. Experts have outlined a clear threat, suggesting that user interactions with the chatbot contribute to a data reservoir that the Chinese government could exploit for various, possibly malign, purposes.

The urgency of the situation is underscored further by the actions already taken by U.S. government entities. The U.S. Navy and NASA have both moved swiftly to restrict the use of DeepSeek on their employees’ devices, aimed at averting security breaches. Texas has already taken official action, blocking the app on state government devices, and reports indicate that other countries, including Italy, South Korea, and Australia, have moved forward with bans against DeepSeek, demonstrating a growing global apprehension towards the AI tool.

In light of the overwhelming evidence and actions taken both domestically and internationally, Gottheimer articulated the need for immediate legislative attention to scrutinize DeepSeek’s activities comprehensively. He expressed a clear intent to prevent the Chinese government from gaining access to vital U.S. data through this technology. As the legislative proposal gains traction, discussions around data privacy, national security, and the influence of foreign technology within the U.S. sphere will likely intensify. However, skepticism remains among citizens and experts alike regarding whether banning applications alone will effectively shield American data from international conflict and espionage. As lawmakers rally behind this measure, there’s an underlying challenge: finding a balance between innovation and security in an increasingly interconnected world.