US moves to ban Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek over security fears

DeepSeek

The US government is looking to ban the use of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI chatbot, on official devices. Lawmakers say it’s a matter of national security. But why is this AI tool causing so much concern? That is because like all apps that were founded in China, DeepSeek too shares personal information of users with the Chinese government. And this is one reason why TikTok is being banned in the US so how could DeepSeek escape without facing some scrutiny. Notably, Ireland, Rome and Taiwan have already banned the use of DeepSeek on government devices.

DeepSeek is an AI chatbot founded in China. The app recently made waves in the AI industry. Its latest model, called R1, is as powerful as top American AI models but requires less computing power. That’s a big deal—it means China is making rapid advancements in AI, despite restrictions on accessing advanced US chips.

For years, the US has been trying to stay ahead in artificial intelligence. It has placed strict controls on China’s access to cutting-edge AI hardware, hoping to slow its progress. But DeepSeek’s rapid success is raising alarms, making some in Washington worry that China could be gaining ground faster than expected.

Is this another TikTok?

The proposed bill, supported by both Republican and Democrat lawmakers, would require government agencies to remove DeepSeek from official devices, according to a CNN report. If this sounds familiar, that’s because a similar approach was taken with TikTok. Lawmakers banned it on government devices over fears that its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, might be forced to share U.S. user data with the Chinese government.

AI chatbots, including DeepSeek, use user inputs to make their models better. The concern is that under China’s strict cybersecurity laws, the Chinese government could demand access to this data at any time. That means sensitive government conversations could end up in the wrong hands.

Other countries are worried too

DeepSeek is not just on the verge of getting banned in the US. Other countries like Australia, Italy and Taiwan have also moved to restrict DeepSeek.

If the US bill passes, agencies will have 60 days to remove DeepSeek from government devices. But this is likely just the beginning. As China continues making AI advancements, expect more debates, more restrictions, and an ongoing battle over who leads the future of AI.