Lawmakers push for DeepSeek ban from federal devices over China concerns

Summary: Two U.S. lawmakers have proposed a bill to ban the Chinese AI platform DeepSeek from federal devices due to national security concerns, citing its links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and potential risks to sensitive data. The bill reflects broader apprehensions about foreign technology and its implications for U.S. security, as DeepSeek has gained popularity as an alternative to domestic AI tools. Lawmakers warn that failure to address these risks could lead to significant threats to national security and data privacy.

Affected: Federal government devices and agencies

Keypoints :

• Reps. Josh Gottheimer and Darin LaHood introduced the “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act” to mitigate security concerns.
• DeepSeek’s open-source nature raises alarms about data handling and potential ties to the CCP, as evidenced by reported security vulnerabilities.
• Other countries like Italy, Australia, and South Korea have already banned DeepSeek, reflecting a global trend of caution towards Chinese-affiliated technology.