Texas has become the first state in the United States to ban the artificial intelligence application DeepSeek, along with other Chinese-owned apps such as RedNote and Lemon8, from government-issued devices. This decision, announced by Governor Greg Abbott, underscores the state’s commitment to safeguarding its critical infrastructure from potential threats posed by foreign technology.
The rise of DeepSeek
DeepSeek, a rapidly growing AI platform, has gained attention for its impressive capabilities, reportedly outperforming established competitors like OpenAI at a lower cost. Since its launch on January 15, 2025, the app has been downloaded over 2 million times, quickly becoming popular among users in the U.S. However, its connection to China has raised alarms regarding data privacy and security. The app is said to collect and store user data in China, where companies are legally obligated to share information with the Chinese government upon request.
Texas’ decision to ban DeepSeek is part of a growing trend of governments becoming more active in shaping AI policy. The challenge, however, is that AI governance is still in its infancy, and blanket bans on specific applications may not effectively address the underlying risks. In addition, while the DeepSeek application is owned and housed by a Chinese company, it is entirely unclear if the ban extends to the open-source DeepSeek R1 Model on HuggingFace,”, remarked Rob Lee, chief of Research at SANS Institute, to Economy Middle East.
Read more: Major security flaw in DeepSeek’s AI database raises privacy concerns
Governor Abbott’s statement
Governor Abbott’s announcement was clear and resolute: “Texas will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate our state’s critical infrastructure through data-harvesting AI and social media apps. Texas will continue to protect and defend our state from hostile foreign actors.” This statement reflects a broader trend among U.S. states and federal agencies to scrutinize and restrict the use of foreign technology that may pose risks to national security.
Satnam Narang, senior staff research engineer at Tenable, told Economy Middle East that “The actions taken by the State of Texas include banning several apps associated with the People’s Republic of China specifically on government-issued devices. While the apps themselves are easier to block access to, DeepSeek has published their large language models (LLMs) as open source, making it harder to restrict. Unlike the app or service itself, LLMs require some leg-work to run, but it’s not too hard to do.”
Impact of the ban
Moreover, the ban on DeepSeek and other apps is part of a larger effort to mitigate risks associated with foreign technology. The U.S. Navy has already taken steps to block the AI chatbot due to similar security concerns. Also, the decision to prohibit these applications on government devices aligns with previous actions taken against TikTok, which has faced scrutiny for its ties to China and potential data privacy violations.
Broader implications for tech and security
The implications of this ban extend beyond Texas. As concerns about data security and foreign influence continue to grow, other states may follow suit, implementing similar restrictions on apps that are perceived as threats. The move also highlights the increasing tension between the U.S. and China in the realm of technology and data privacy.
Texas’s decision to ban DeepSeek and other Chinese-owned apps further marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over data security and foreign technology. As states grapple with the implications of using apps that may compromise user data, the focus on safeguarding critical infrastructure will likely intensify. Governor Abbott’s firm stance serves as a warning to other states and a signal of the growing urgency to address these concerns at both state and federal levels.
“DeepSeek’s ban underscores a broader concern: ensuring transparency in AI decision-making and limiting the potential for misuse. States and even federal agencies are starting to grapple with these questions, and more AI-specific legislation tied between model and application use is likely on the horizon. The key is ensuring that regulations encourage security, proper audits, and addressing model utilization versus specific AI applications,” noted Lee.
“The bottom line is that they banned “DeepSeek,” but what does that mean? It is unclear and provides opaque and unclear directions between the model and the application. Whoever wrote that policy doesn’t understand using the DeepSeek R1 model versus the DeepSeek application. Experts on models and cybersecurity should make recommendations that will assist in drafting these policies/orders.”
