USA prepares to ban chinese AI: DeepSeek may repeat TikTok’s fate

Representatives of both parties in the US House of Representatives have initiated a ban on the Chinese AI application DeepSeek on government devices, following similar measures previously taken against TikTok.

Congressmen Josh Gottheimer (Democrat) and Darin LaHood (Republican) introduced the “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act” bill. The main reason for the ban is cited as the potential for the application to be used by the Chinese government for surveillance and spreading disinformation.

“The Chinese Communist Party has made it clear that they will use any available tools to undermine our national security, spread harmful disinformation, and collect data on Americans,” Gottheimer stated.

The initiative emerged after the Chinese company introduced an AI model in December that is comparable in capabilities to developments by American giants OpenAI, Meta, and Alphabet, but created with significantly less funding. Research firm Feroot discovered in DeepSeek’s computer code the capability to transfer user data to a Chinese state telecommunications company whose activities are banned in the US.

The bill provides for banning not only DeepSeek but also all AI applications developed by its parent company, hedge fund High-Flyer. However, exceptions remain for national security and research purposes.

“The technological race with the Chinese Communist Party is a competition that the United States cannot afford to lose,” LaHood emphasized, calling for the protection of American data and ensuring US leadership in artificial intelligence.

This initiative is part of a broader confrontation between the US and China in the technology sector, including tariffs on Chinese goods, restrictions for companies like Huawei, and a ban on the export of advanced microchips.