State AGs Push Congress to Ban Chinese AI App DeepSeek from Government Devices

State attorneys general are turning up the heat on Congress, calling for a nationwide ban on the Chinese-owned DeepSeek AI app across all government devices. In a sharply worded letter, signed by 21 AGs, they described China as a "clear and present danger" to U.S. national security through tools like DeepSeek.

The letter minced no words, warning that “DeepSeek appears to be another tool for Chinese spies to attack America’s national security.” It urged Congress to act swiftly, citing the app’s potential to steal sensitive data from government devices. The AGs even drew parallels to the TikTok ban from two years ago, which was implemented for similar concerns.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, who spearheaded the effort, was particularly blunt: "China is trying to steal America’s secrets. America must fight back. Congress should shut down China’s latest Trojan horse by passing the No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act." Honestly, “Trojan horse” might be the understatement of the year here, given what’s at stake.

For those unfamiliar, DeepSeek is an AI-powered search and data analysis app developed by High-Flyer, a quant hedge fund based in Hangzhou, China. Its newest AI model is reportedly cheaper to operate than those from big names like Meta and OpenAI, but that affordability comes with a side of suspicion—especially since one of its chatbot features is eerily similar to ChatGPT. The fear? That it could collect user data, including chat history, keystrokes, and IP addresses, and secretly feed it to the Chinese Communist Party.

It’s not just the U.S. sounding the alarm. Countries like Canada, Australia, South Korea, Taiwan, and Italy have already slammed the door on DeepSeek over similar security concerns. On the state level, Virginia, Texas, and New York have also banned the app from government devices. The momentum against DeepSeek is undeniable, but whether Congress will act quickly enough remains the big question.

The letter from the AGs emphasized that Congress has a responsibility to protect national security, just as it did with TikTok. They even took a swipe at the current administration, suggesting that if action hasn’t already been taken, they’d expect swift measures to counter this “potent and dangerous adversary.” No pressure, right?

This bipartisan push follows a bill introduced last month by House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., proposing a formal ban on DeepSeek. Given the growing tensions over Chinese tech’s role in potential espionage, this issue feels like it’s only going to escalate further.

For now, all eyes are on Congress to see if the No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act will become law. One thing’s clear: with 21 state AGs, a growing number of countries, and several states already taking action, the warning signs are impossible to ignore.