# **US Legislators Advocate for DeepSeek Prohibition on Government Devices Due to National Security Issues**
## **Overview**
A cross-party coalition of US legislators is advocating for an urgent prohibition on the Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek from being used on government devices, highlighting potential national security threats. There are concerns that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) may have incorporated a backdoor within DeepSeek, which could permit unauthorized access to sensitive American information. Should the proposed bill be approved, the restriction could be implemented within 60 days.
## **DeepSeek’s Ascendancy**
DeepSeek attracted worldwide attention upon its debut last month, rapidly becoming popular thanks to its open-source framework and sophisticated reasoning skills. Experts suggest that DeepSeek competes with the leading reasoning models from OpenAI, despite being developed at a significantly lower cost. The chatbot’s free access led to a spike in downloads, earning it the title of the most-installed app in the United States.
Nevertheless, as the usage of DeepSeek expanded, security experts began examining its background and hazards. A recent probe uncovered potential hidden code that may send user login information to China Mobile, a state-controlled telecommunications provider in China. This finding has heightened concerns that the chatbot could serve as an espionage instrument.
## **Security Issues and Legislative Actions**
China Mobile has already been barred by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from operating within the United States due to security issues. The link between DeepSeek and China Mobile has alarmed legislators and prompted immediate steps.
US Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) presented the “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act” to prohibit the chatbot’s use on federal devices. In a press statement, Gottheimer labeled the situation as a “five-alarm national security emergency” and demanded a prompt investigation into DeepSeek’s operations.
“We possess deeply concerning evidence that they are exploiting DeepSeek to pilfer sensitive data from US citizens,” Gottheimer asserted. “We cannot afford to let the CCP compromise the devices of our government officials and threaten our national security.”
## **International and National Limitations on DeepSeek**
The United States is not the only nation expressing worries regarding DeepSeek. Multiple countries have already restricted or banned its use on government devices, including:
– **Australia**
– **Italy**
– **South Korea**
– **Taiwan**
Moreover, various US federal entities have acted independently to curtail DeepSeek’s usage. Both the **US Navy** and **NASA** have forbidden federal employees from utilizing the chatbot on government-issued devices. Recently, **Texas became the first US state** to implement a ban on DeepSeek, along with other Chinese applications like RedNote, an alternative to TikTok.
## **Similarities to TikTok and AI Security Apprehensions**
The movement to prohibit DeepSeek arises amidst continuing national security concerns regarding Chinese technology. TikTok has been banned on US government devices since 2022, and former President Donald Trump is currently working on a deal to maintain the app’s operation in the United States.
Senator John Curtis (R-Utah) recently characterized DeepSeek as “TikTok on steroids.” In a Senate session, Curtis probed Howard Lutnick, Trump’s nominee for Commerce Secretary, about the risks associated with DeepSeek. Lutnick proposed that the rapid evolution and low cost of DeepSeek might result from intellectual property theft, mirroring worries expressed by OpenAI that DeepSeek may have inappropriately utilized its data.
## **Prospects for AI Regulation in the US**
As lawmakers concentrate on addressing the security threats posed by DeepSeek, there is also escalating concern regarding the wider implications of AI regulation. The US AI Safety Institute (AISI), established under President Joe Biden, plays a crucial role in guaranteeing the security and dependability of AI models. However, Trump recently annulled Biden’s AI safety policies, casting uncertainty on the future of AI oversight.
Samuel Hammond, chief economist at the Foundation for American Innovation, has urged legislators to fortify AISI’s position. In a written statement to the US House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Hammond suggested that AISI be reorganized to conduct voluntary assessments of AI models—both open-source and proprietary—to certify their safety.
“With such minimal distinction between China and America’s frontier AI capabilities on a technical front, America’s superiority in AI is solely as strong as our supremacy in computing infrastructure,” Hammond cautioned.
## **Final Thoughts**
The discussion surrounding DeepSeek underscores the escalating friction between technological advancement and national security. While AI innovations present significant advantages, they also pose new threats, particularly when developed by foreign adversaries. As lawmakers advocate for a prohibition on DeepSeek, the wider conversation regarding AI regulation and security is expected to continue influencing US policy in the forthcoming months.
With bipartisan endorsement, the suggested legislation to ban DeepSeek from government devices is poised for swift approval. However, the challenge lies in reconciling AI development with national security, ensuring that the US
