Washington, D.C. — In a decisive effort to protect U.S. national security, congressional lawmakers are preparing legislation that would prohibit the use of DeepSeek, a Chinese-developed AI chatbot, on all government-issued devices. The bill, spearheaded by Representatives Darin LaHood of Illinois and Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, seeks to prevent what lawmakers see as an increasing risk of data breaches, foreign surveillance, and cyber vulnerabilities linked to Chinese artificial intelligence firms.
The legislation, expected to be introduced in Congress on Friday, would mandate that federal agencies completely remove DeepSeek, along with any other applications developed by its parent company, High Flyer, from all government networks and devices within a strict 60-day timeframe. This move comes as part of a broader strategy to safeguard sensitive government data from potential foreign exploitation, particularly as tensions between the United States and China over technological dominance continue to escalate.
DeepSeek has rapidly emerged as a formidable competitor in the AI industry, with its recent release of the R1 model drawing comparisons to top-tier AI systems developed by leading American companies. Despite operating under U.S. restrictions that limit China’s access to advanced AI chips, DeepSeek’s success has alarmed policymakers, who fear that Beijing may be gaining an edge in AI innovation, potentially challenging the U.S.’s long-held technological superiority.
The push to ban DeepSeek mirrors similar efforts made by Australia, Italy, and Taiwan, all of which have taken action against Chinese-developed AI platforms over fears of cybersecurity risks. Lawmakers argue that AI tools such as DeepSeek could be leveraged by the Chinese government for intelligence-gathering purposes. Given China’s regulatory framework, which obligates domestic companies to share data with state authorities, experts warn that any interactions government employees have with DeepSeek could potentially be accessed by foreign actors. “Users need to recognize the risks associated with engaging with AI platforms like DeepSeek,” cybersecurity expert Adrianus Warmenhoven noted in a statement. “Any data transmitted through the platform could be subject to surveillance under Chinese law, presenting a serious national security threat.”
DeepSeek has not publicly responded to the proposed ban or the concerns raised by cybersecurity analysts and lawmakers. However, the controversy surrounding its use closely resembles the ongoing debate over TikTok, the video-sharing platform owned by Chinese firm ByteDance. TikTok has faced intense scrutiny from U.S. officials, culminating in a federal ban on the app’s use on government devices in 2022. ByteDance is now facing a looming deadline to divest from TikTok or risk an outright ban in the country, reflecting the broader trend of heightened regulatory action against Chinese-owned technology companies.
Representative Gottheimer stressed the importance of preemptive action to counter emerging cybersecurity threats. “The United States cannot afford to be complacent when it comes to our digital infrastructure and national security. The Chinese Communist Party has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to exploit technology to further its geopolitical agenda. We saw it with TikTok, and we are seeing it again with DeepSeek. We must act now to ensure that our government’s data remains protected and that we do not expose ourselves to unnecessary risks.”
With AI technology evolving at an unprecedented pace, the legislative debate surrounding DeepSeek’s potential ban is likely to set the stage for further discussions on the role of foreign AI applications in U.S. government operations. Lawmakers remain resolute in their stance that national security must take precedence, signaling that tighter restrictions on foreign-developed AI tools may be forthcoming.
