U.S. Lawmakers Propose Ban on China's DeepSeek AI Software for Government Devices

A new bipartisan bill is being introduced in Congress aimed at prohibiting the use of China's DeepSeek artificial intelligence software on government devices. This legislation is backed by U.S. Representatives Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), who emphasize national security concerns associated with the technology.

According to LaHood, the competition in technology with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is crucial for the United States. He expressed alarm over the potential national security threat posed by DeepSeek, stating, "The national security threat that DeepSeek — a CCP-affiliated company — poses to the United States is alarming."

There are concerns that DeepSeek’s generative AI software could capture the data of American users, which may then be utilized by Chinese authorities for unclear purposes. Reports suggest that the software includes hidden code that might transfer user login details to China Mobile, a state-run telecom company that has already been banned from operating in the U.S.

These findings come from an analysis by Ivan Tsarynny, CEO of Feroot Security, a firm specializing in data security and cybersecurity. His work has pointed to alarming precepts regarding private data safety. Tsarynny stated, "Under no circumstances can we allow a CCP company to obtain sensitive government or personal data."

Attempts to reach a representative from DeepSeek for their input on the situation have been unsuccessful. Reports indicate that DeepSeek did not respond to inquiries from various outlets.

Founded in 2023, DeepSeek gained attention last month when it was claimed to produce competitive AI results at significantly lower costs compared to American technology companies. Such news briefly affected U.S. tech stocks.

However, the credibility of these reports remains under scrutiny. Several technology experts have stated that the full extent of DeepSeek's development expenses has not been adequately assessed. Tsarynny further remarked, "It's mind-boggling that we are unknowingly allowing China to survey Americans and we're doing nothing about it. There's so much unusual about this situation. You know that saying, 'Where there's smoke, there's fire'? In this case, there's a lot of smoke."

This proposed legislation reflects ongoing concerns among U.S. lawmakers regarding the influence and activities of Chinese technology firms in the United States. The broader implications for national security and user privacy continue to Spark debate among policymakers and security experts alike.

lawmakers, DeepSeek, AI