US Lawmakers Push to Ban DeepSeek on Government Devices Over Security Concerns

DeepSeek, the latest Chinese app under scrutiny in the US, faces a potential ban on government-issued devices due to national security concerns. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) introduced the "No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act" on Thursday, citing findings from a Feroot Security study that links the app to China Mobile, a state-owned entity banned by the FCC.

"We have deeply disturbing evidence that using DeepSeek to steal the sensitive data of US citizens. This is a five-alarm national security fire," Gottheimer stated.

DeepSeek's AI model surged in popularity following the release of its R1 model last month, offering competitive performance despite its modest budget. However, an independent analysis reported by the Wall Street Journal found that the company had embedded hidden code transferring user login data to China Mobile.

Feroot Security CEO Ivan Tsarynny expressed grave concerns, saying, "We see direct links to servers and to companies in China that are under control of the Chinese government. And this is something that we have never seen in the past."

Rep. LaHood echoed these worries, emphasizing that "Under no circumstances can we allow a CCP company to obtain sensitive government or personal data." He called the bipartisan bill a "commonsense" measure to protect national security and prevent backdoor access to government systems.

The proposed legislation follows the precedent set by the 2023 ban on TikTok for government devices. DeepSeek has already been prohibited on government-issued devices in Texas and by federal agencies like the US Navy and NASA, with security concerns driving the restrictions. Several foreign governments, including Australia, Italy, South Korea, and Taiwan, have also imposed bans or limitations on the app.

As the bill gains traction, the debate over digital security and foreign influence continues to intensify, reinforcing concerns over data privacy and national security risks posed by Chinese-owned applications.