House Lawmakers Push to Ban AI App DeepSeek from Government Devices

In a move reminiscent of past bans on Chinese technology, U.S. lawmakers are taking steps to prohibit the artificial intelligence app DeepSeek from government devices. The bipartisan effort, led by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), aims to curb potential security risks associated with the Chinese-developed AI tool.

DeepSeek: A Growing Concern for National Security

DeepSeek is an AI model developed by a Chinese software firm, which recently made waves by rivaling major AI models from U.S. tech giants like OpenAI, Meta, and Alphabet—and reportedly doing so at a fraction of the cost. While its performance has drawn attention, it has also triggered alarm among policymakers who fear it could be used as a tool for surveillance, data collection, and misinformation by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

“The Chinese Communist Party has made it abundantly clear that it will exploit any tool at its disposal to undermine our national security,” Gottheimer warned.

This national security rhetoric mirrors the concerns that led to the TikTok ban on federal devices in 2023. Lawmakers argue that Beijing’s access to AI-powered applications could give it an edge in data collection, espionage, and influence campaigns targeting the U.S. government and its citizens.

The “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act”

The proposed legislation, titled the “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act,” would prohibit federal employees from downloading or using the app on government-owned devices. However, the bill does allow exceptions for national security research, enabling government analysts to study the AI model’s potential risks.

Co-sponsor Rep. LaHood emphasized the urgency of action, stating:

“The technology race with the Chinese Communist Party is not one the United States can afford to lose.”

A Broader U.S.-China Tech War

The move against DeepSeek comes amid growing tensions between the U.S. and China in the technology sector. Over the past few years, the U.S. government has taken aggressive steps to curb Chinese influence, including:

• Restricting Huawei from operating within federal networks.
• Banning the export of high-end microchips crucial for developing AI models.
• Pressuring ByteDance to divest TikTok or face a nationwide ban (a process still in legal limbo).

Additionally, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has proposed an even more sweeping measure—one that would bar any AI technology imports or exports involving China. If enacted, such legislation would significantly escalate U.S. restrictions on Chinese tech, further deepening the divide between the two superpowers.

What’s Next?

As the AI arms race intensifies, the battle over DeepSeek is just one front in a larger struggle for technological dominance. With lawmakers pushing to restrict China’s AI influence in the U.S., more bans and regulations could be on the horizon.

For now, the No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act must work its way through Congress. If passed, it would mark another significant step in the U.S. government’s efforts to limit Chinese tech’s reach—following in the footsteps of the TikTok ban and microchip export controls.

With AI poised to shape the future of global power, the fight over who controls the most advanced models is only just beginning.