News Desk
Escalating concerns over Chinese technology infiltrating American digital systems, Texas has banned the use of the Chinese-developed AI application DeepSeek on government-issued devices. In a bold move, the state has also prohibited RedNote, a rising Chinese social media app seen as an alternative to TikTok, citing national security risks.
Governor Greg Abbott announced the ban, warning of potential data breaches and unauthorized access by the Chinese government.
“Texas will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate our state’s critical infrastructure through data-harvesting AI and social media apps,” Abbott declared, underscoring the state’s commitment to safeguarding sensitive information.
DeepSeek, an AI chatbot that has rapidly gained popularity, recently surpassed OpenAI’s ChatGPT as the most downloaded free app on the U.S. iOS App Store. This surge in adoption has prompted concerns among cybersecurity experts and policymakers about the application’s data handling practices and its connections to Chinese state-owned entities.
Security researchers have identified that DeepSeek’s website contains code capable of transmitting user login information to China Mobile, a state-owned telecommunications company previously sanctioned by the U.S. for its military affiliations. While no data transfers were observed during tests in North America, experts caution that the potential for such activity cannot be dismissed.
The Texas ban extends to other Chinese apps, including Lemon8, as part of a broader effort to block potential foreign surveillance. Similar measures have been taken globally—Italy was the first country to ban DeepSeek on government devices, and Taiwan has also prohibited its use in government agencies over security concerns.
At the federal level, U.S. lawmakers are pushing for nationwide restrictions. Senator Josh Hawley has introduced legislation to ban Chinese-developed AI and tech products, proposing fines of up to $1 billion for companies that violate the restrictions.
DeepSeek’s rapid rise has also impacted the financial market, with its success contributing to a sharp decline in U.S. tech stocks, including a significant drop in NVIDIA’s share value. As scrutiny of Chinese technology intensifies, Texas’s move may set the stage for broader national action.
