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Bipartisan Lawmakers Propose Ban on Chinese AI App DeepSeek for Federal Devices
A bipartisan effort is underway in the U.S. House to prohibit the use of the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) app DeepSeek on government-owned devices
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Bipartisan Lawmakers Propose Ban on Chinese AI App DeepSeek for Federal Devices
A bipartisan effort is underway in the U.S. House to prohibit the use of the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) app DeepSeek on government-owned devices, citing national security concerns. The proposed legislation mirrors existing restrictions on TikTok, which was banned from federal devices due to similar fears over data privacy and foreign influence.
Legislation Targeting DeepSeek
Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) introduced the "No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act" on Thursday, which aims to bar federal employees from downloading or using the Chinese AI application on government-issued electronics. The lawmakers argue that the app poses a risk of surveillance and misinformation due to its ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
“The Chinese Communist Party has made it abundantly clear that it will exploit any tool at its disposal to undermine our national security, spew harmful disinformation, and collect data on Americans,” said Rep. Gottheimer. “We simply can’t risk the CCP infiltrating the devices of our government officials and jeopardizing our national security.”
Growing Concerns Over Chinese AI Advancements
DeepSeek made headlines in January after publishing an AI model that performed competitively against models developed by American tech giants such as OpenAI, Meta, and Alphabet—but at a fraction of the cost. The rapid rise of DeepSeek has sparked intense debate among U.S. policymakers, tech industry leaders, and national security experts, with concerns about its potential impact on both economic and security landscapes.
This legislation reflects the broader technological rivalry between the U.S. and China, particularly in artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing. The U.S. has already taken steps to curb China's access to state-of-the-art microchips, which are critical for developing advanced AI models. Additionally, the U.S. government has imposed tariffs on Chinese goods and restricted firms like Huawei from operating within critical infrastructure.
Precedents and Policy Parallels
The push to ban DeepSeek follows the 2023 ban on TikTok from federal devices and ongoing efforts to force its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations. Former President Donald Trump initially proposed banning TikTok, and in early 2025, he signed an executive order extending the timeline for the app’s potential sale before a nationwide ban is enacted.
“The technology race with the Chinese Communist Party is not one the United States can afford to lose,” said Rep. LaHood. “This commonsense, bipartisan piece of legislation will ban the app from federal workers’ phones while closing backdoor operations the company seeks to exploit for access. It is critical that Congress safeguard Americans’ data and continue to ensure American leadership in AI.”
Implications of the Ban and Future Legislation
The bill specifically targets DeepSeek and its parent company, High-Flyer, a hedge fund based in China, while allowing exceptions for national security and research purposes. This ensures that federal agencies can still analyze the app’s capabilities for cybersecurity and intelligence gathering.
Some lawmakers believe this bill does not go far enough. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) recently introduced a more sweeping proposal that would bar both the import and export of any AI technology from China, citing national security risks. If enacted, this measure could significantly reshape U.S.-China relations in the tech sector.
Conclusion
The debate over DeepSeek and AI regulation underscores broader tensions between the United States and China in the race for technological supremacy. As AI capabilities advance, U.S. policymakers remain focused on protecting data security while ensuring that American innovation remains at the forefront. Whether the proposed DeepSeek ban gains momentum in Congress will be an important test of how the U.S. government approaches AI regulation in an era of growing geopolitical competition.