Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 46 on Tuesday, February 11, prohibiting the use of DeepSeek AI, a Chinese AI software, on state-owned devices and networks. This decision reflects growing concerns over the security risks associated with Chinese-owned technology.

Security threat due to use of DeepSeek AI

Youngkin’s executive order highlights the perceived risks associated with Chinese technology. “China’s DeepSeek AI poses a threat to the security and safety of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Governor Youngkin stated. “We must continue to take steps to safeguard our operations and information from the Chinese Communist Party.”

The order prohibits employees of any Virginia agency from downloading or using the DeepSeek AI application on government-issued devices, including cell phones and laptops, and restricts access to Commonwealth networks.

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Echoes of TikTok ban

Youngkin’s action recalls Executive Order 24, which banned TikTok and other ByteDance-owned applications from state-issued devices. Similar to the concerns that led to a nationwide ban on TikTok in January, DeepSeek AI raises fears about data security and potential surveillance.

Federal action proposed

Concerns about DeepSeek AI extend beyond Virginia. A bipartisan proposal has emerged in the U.S. House of Representatives, seeking to ban the Chinese AI application from federal devices. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) introduced the “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act”.

Gottheimer stated, “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.”

He added, “We simply can’t risk the CCP infiltrating the devices of our government officials and jeopardizing our national security.”

A challenge to U.S. AI dominance

DeepSeek AI has emerged as a competitor to AI models developed by American companies like OpenAI, Meta, and Alphabet. DeepSeek reportedly developed its model at a fraction of the cost of its American counterparts. A January research paper sparked debate among policymakers and Silicon Valley divs about DeepSeek’s capabilities.