US Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Ban Chinese AI DeepSeek
US lawmakers introduced a bill aimed at banning the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) program, DeepSeek, from being used on government devices. The bill is in response to concerns about user data security and its potential implications for US national security. Representative Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat from New Jersey, alongside Darin LaHood, a Republican from Illinois, co-sponsored the bill, which highlights an “alarming threat” posed by the AI model developed by Chinese startup DeepSeek.
The Growing Concern Over DeepSeek
The introduction of the bill follows a report by Feroot Security, a US cybersecurity firm, which claimed that the DeepSeek AI model could contain hidden code capable of transmitting user data to China Mobile, a state-owned telecoms company. According to the report, this hidden code could allow the Chinese government to access sensitive information from US government devices.
DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, made headlines last month after it launched a high-quality, low-cost chatbot that quickly gained global attention. The AI program raised concerns among US lawmakers and intelligence officials due to its sudden success, potentially undermining the lead that the United States and other countries had in the development of AI technologies.
In response to the cybersecurity firm’s report, Representative Gottheimer emphasized that the Chinese government could use tools like DeepSeek to “undermine our national security” and collect data on Americans. He stated that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) would exploit any available means, including AI, to collect sensitive information and spread harmful disinformation.
The Bill’s Key Provisions
The bill, which was introduced in the House of Representatives, seeks to block the use of DeepSeek AI on all US government devices. Gottheimer and LaHood’s move aims to protect sensitive government and personal data from falling into the hands of the Chinese government, which they argue has direct ties to DeepSeek and other Chinese tech companies.
The legislation takes direct aim at the growing concerns about foreign interference and the potential risks posed by Chinese technology. Gottheimer, in his statement, noted that the Chinese government’s tactics were clear and persistent, using technology as a means to gain access to private data and potentially manipulate global systems.
LaHood, for his part, called DeepSeek a “CCP-affiliated company” and stressed that under no circumstances should it be allowed to access sensitive data from the US government or individuals. The bill’s proponents are pushing for immediate action to prevent any risk to national security.
International Responses to DeepSeek
The concerns over DeepSeek are not unique to the United States. Other countries have also raised alarms about the AI’s potential to exploit user data. South Korea, for example, has blocked DeepSeek from its government computers after the company failed to respond to inquiries from the country’s data watchdog regarding its data management practices.
Australia has also moved swiftly to ban DeepSeek from all government devices following advice from its security agencies. The Australian government echoed concerns similar to those in the US, suggesting that the AI’s ability to gather and transmit data could pose a threat to national security.
In Europe, both France and Italy have raised significant concerns regarding DeepSeek’s data handling practices. These countries have warned that the AI’s connections to the Chinese government could compromise data security, leading to increased scrutiny of Chinese tech products and services in both the public and private sectors.
Broader Concerns About Chinese Tech Companies
The bill to ban DeepSeek comes at a time when tensions between the United States and China are running high, particularly in the realm of technology. In recent years, Chinese companies have come under intense scrutiny over national security risks, with governments around the world becoming increasingly cautious about the potential for espionage and data theft through Chinese tech platforms.
One of the most high-profile examples of this is the ongoing controversy surrounding the video-sharing app TikTok. TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has faced calls for a complete ban in the US over concerns that the app could be used by the Chinese government to gather data on American users. US lawmakers have introduced legislation that could force ByteDance to divest from TikTok or face a ban in the country, further emphasizing the growing distrust of Chinese technology.
The Path Forward
As the US government continues to grapple with the security implications of Chinese tech companies, the debate surrounding DeepSeek is likely to intensify. While the bill introduced by Gottheimer and LaHood is just the latest in a series of actions taken by US lawmakers, it reflects the broader concerns over Chinese influence in the global technology sector. Governments around the world are increasingly questioning the role of Chinese companies in their national security frameworks.
In the coming weeks, it remains to be seen how the bill will progress through the legislative process and whether it will prompt further scrutiny of DeepSeek and other Chinese AI programs. The response from the Chinese government and DeepSeek itself will also be crucial in shaping the future of this controversy. As global competition in the AI field intensifies, the intersection of technology, security, and geopolitics will continue to be a critical issue on the world stage.
