Texas has become the first state in the United States to ban the Chinese-owned AI app, DeepSeek, due to escalating concerns about national security. Governor Greg Abbott signed an order prohibiting the use of DeepSeek on all state-issued devices, citing fears that the Chinese Communist Party could access sensitive data. The ban places Texas at the forefront of a global movement against the app, which has raised concerns due to its data storage practices and links to the Chinese government.
Abbott explained the reasoning behind the ban, stating, “Texas will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate our state’s critical infrastructure through data-harvesting AI and social media apps.” He added that state agencies and employees handling critical infrastructure, intellectual property, and personal information must be shielded from “malicious espionage operations” by the Chinese government.
DeepSeek’s Global Rise and Security Concerns
DeepSeek, a Chinese-developed artificial intelligence application, has gained significant attention worldwide for its ability to outperform OpenAI at a much lower cost. However, its popularity has been clouded by concerns regarding data security. Reports have indicated that the app stores user data on servers in China, raising fears about the potential for Chinese authorities to access this information under local laws, which mandate that companies share data with the government if requested.
These concerns have already led to the US Navy banning the app, with NASA and other government agencies following suit. DeepSeek has also been banned from US military devices and is under intense scrutiny by US lawmakers and regulators.
Governor Abbott’s move aligns with growing concerns in the United States about the potential risks posed by Chinese apps like DeepSeek, which may compromise user privacy and national security. Abbott’s statement underscores Texas’ commitment to safeguardin ..
Elon Musk’s Influence in Texas
The DeepSeek ban also comes at a time when Texas is becoming increasingly significant in the tech world. The state is now home to the headquarters of Elon Musk’s SpaceX and his social media platform, X, which relocated from California in 2023. Musk’s decision to move to Texas was partly in response to a controversial law in California that required teachers to notify parents if their child changed their name or gender identity at school.
