A bipartisan coalition in the US Congress is pushing forward legislation aimed at prohibiting the use of DeepSeek AI, a China-based chatbot, on government devices. The move comes amid growing concerns over national security and data privacy, with experts warning of potential risks tied to the tool’s alleged connections to the Chinese government.
Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Darin LaHood (R-IL), both ranking members of the House Select Committee on Intelligence, have announced plans to introduce the “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act.” The proposed legislation mirrors previous actions taken against TikTok, which was banned from government devices in 2022 and is now facing a broader US-wide prohibition.
National Security Fears Mount
The call for action follows a report from cybersecurity firm Feroot Security, which claims that DeepSeek’s underlying code directly transmits user data to servers operated by China Mobile, a state-owned telecommunications company. According to Feroot analyst Ivan Tsarynny, this presents an unprecedented security risk. “We’ve identified direct links to Chinese-controlled servers. This is a situation we’ve never encountered before,” Tsarynny told ABC News.
The Wall Street Journal also reported that Tsarynny’s findings indicate DeepSeek is actively collecting extensive user data from American consumers and government entities. Additional cybersecurity experts have since corroborated Feroot’s analysis, heightening fears that the app is funneling sensitive information to Beijing.
Government Agencies and States Respond
The US Navy and NASA have already implemented bans on DeepSeek AI across their networks, citing security concerns. Texas has also moved to block the app from state government devices. Meanwhile, Italy, South Korea, and Australia have already enacted national bans on DeepSeek, further fueling calls for the US to take decisive action.
Legislators Sound the Alarm
Representative LaHood emphasized the urgency of the situation in a recent statement. “The national security threat posed by DeepSeek—a company with clear ties to the Chinese Communist Party—is deeply concerning. The AI program is gathering data on American users and storing it for undisclosed purposes. We cannot allow this to continue,” LaHood warned.
Gottheimer echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for swift action. “We must fully investigate DeepSeek’s activities. Allowing the CCP to infiltrate government devices would be an unacceptable risk to our national security,” he stated.
As concerns over AI-driven threats continue to grow, the bipartisan bill is expected to gain traction among lawmakers determined to safeguard US interests against foreign cyber intrusions. The legislative proposal underscores a broader effort to address the security risks posed by emerging AI technologies linked to adversarial nations.
