In a significant move to bolster national security, a bipartisan effort is underway in the U.S. House to legislate a ban on the Chinese artificial intelligence application, DeepSeek, on federal government devices. This initiative mirrors actions previously taken against other foreign apps like TikTok.
The legislation, called the “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act,” has been introduced by Representatives Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, a Democrat, and Darin LaHood of Illinois, a Republican. The bill aims to prohibit federal employees from utilizing the Chinese-origin AI app on government-operated electronic devices, highlighting concerns about surveillance and misinformation. The legislators argue that the Chinese government could potentially exploit DeepSeek to gather data from American users and disseminate disinformation.
Representative Gottheimer emphasized the risks involved, stating, “The Chinese Communist Party has shown they will exploit any available tool to undermine U.S. national security, spread disinformation, and harvest data from Americans. It's essential we prevent the CCP from infiltrating government devices and compromising our nation's security.”
The call for this ban follows the recent development of an AI model by DeepSeek's parent company, which has shown competitive performance alongside models developed by major American tech firms. What piqued the interest further was the economic efficiency with which DeepSeek claimed to have created its AI models, a fraction of the typical cost for similar models developed in the U.S.
These advancements have spurred serious discussions among policymakers, Silicon Valley experts, and technology investors. They coincide with a period of intense technological rivalry between the United States and China, prompting the U.S. to implement several countermeasures, including tariffs on Chinese products, usage bans on Huawei's technologies in government contexts, and restrictions on exporting advanced microchips crucial for sophisticated AI development.
In a parallel endeavor last year, Congress and President Joe Biden mandated the separation of TikTok from its Chinese parent company, an objective that is currently paused. Initially suggested by former President Donald Trump, this separation was meant as a solution to the security threats posed by the app.
Regarding the proposed legislation, Representative LaHood voiced, “The ongoing technology race with the Chinese Communist Party is one the United States must lead. This bipartisan act will prevent the use of DeepSeek on federal devices while shutting down any potential backdoors the app's makers might capitalize on. Ensuring the security of American data and maintaining U.S. leadership in AI innovation are paramount.”
The bill explicitly targets DeepSeek and any AI applications generated by its parent company, High-Flyer, restricting their use on federal devices. Notably, there are specified exceptions for national security and research purposes, allowing government entities to examine and study DeepSeek's technologies.
Meanwhile, there are expanding calls for broader measures. Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri has introduced a bill that would broadly prohibit importing or exporting Chinese AI technologies, citing national security as a driving concern. As these legislative initiatives indicate, the scrutiny on foreign technological influence, particularly from China, remains a high priority for U.S. policymakers looking to secure domestic data and systems.