DeepSeek Banned from U.S. Government Devices Over Security Concerns

In a move that honestly surprises no one, the U.S. government just put the brakes on DeepSeek—a Chinese AI model—banning it from government-issued devices.

DeepSeek has been making waves in the AI world, mainly because of its low-cost, high-performance models. In fact, back in January, its aggressive pricing triggered a major selloff in global AI stocks, as investors worried about its potential to disrupt the industry.

That kind of impact isn’t common, even among big names like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google DeepMind. However, while DeepSeek’s technology has gained attention, U.S. officials see it as a security risk.

The ban is part of a broader push to limit potential data vulnerabilities linked to foreign AI models. A key concern is that DeepSeek could expose sensitive government data to China’s ruling Communist Party. Lawmakers, including Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Darin LaHood, have warned that users might be unknowingly sharing classified contracts, financial records, and other proprietary information. Some states—like Virginia, Texas, and New York—have already blocked the AI on government devices, and a coalition of 21 attorneys general is pushing for a nationwide ban. While DeepSeek is the current target, it’s unlikely to be the last. The U.S. and China have been at odds for years, with tensions affecting everything from popular apps like TikTok to major tech companies like Huawei. Given this history, we could see even stricter regulations on foreign AI models.

For now, federal agencies are assessing the risks. But if history is any indication, this ban is just the beginning.