US legislators on February 6 introduced a bill that would prohibit the use of the Chinese artificial intelligence program DeepSeek on government-issued devices. The initiative, brought forward by New Jersey Democrat Representative Josh Gottheimer and Illinois Republican Darin LaHood, comes amid fears that the software poses a direct threat to the nation's security by potentially compromising user data and serving Chinese state interests.
The lawmakers highlighted alarming risks, pointing to findings from a US cybersecurity firm, Feroot Security, which reported that DeepSeek includes concealed code potentially capable of transmitting data to China Mobile, a telecom company under Chinese state ownership. In their statements, the representatives stressed the danger posed by any technology that could allow the Chinese government leverage over American data and warned that such tools might be used to spread misleading information and gather sensitive personal and governmental data.
This legislative effort joins similar international actions, with South Korea blocking DeepSeek on its government devices following inquiries about the handling of user information. Australia has also imposed a ban on the program for government devices based on recommendations from its security agencies, and European nations like France and Italy have expressed reservations regarding the platform's data management practices.
In a related development, US officials are also addressing concerns over the popular app TikTok, which faces a mandate to divest from its Chinese parent company ByteDance or risk being banned in the United States, underscoring broader apprehensions about Chinese technology and data security.
6 Comments
Karamba
Thank you to everyone who spoke out against DeepSeek and demanded action. Your voices were heard, and now our government is taking steps to protect us.
Matzomaster
This is a political stunt designed to appeal to voters' fears about China. It's not based on sound logic or evidence, and it will only create more problems than it solves.
Rotfront
This is a slippery slope. Banning DeepSeek today will lead to bans on other Chinese technology tomorrow, stifling global collaboration and innovation.
Matzomaster
This ban is a necessary step to ensure that our government data is secure and not accessible to foreign powers. It's not about fear-mongering, it's about protecting our national interests.
Rotfront
This is a victory for American security and privacy. We need to continue to be vigilant and fight for our rights in the digital age.
Bella Ciao
This is just protectionism disguised as security concerns. The US is simply afraid of China's technological advancements and wants to maintain its own dominance.