Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, along with 21 other attorneys general, has called on Congress to pass the "No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act." This proposed legislation aims to prevent government devices from downloading and using the DeepSeek artificial intelligence software, which originates from China.
In a letter addressed to congressional leaders, Marshall expressed concerns about the potential risks posed by DeepSeek. The platform allegedly allows user data to be transmitted directly to the Chinese Communist Party. There is also a possibility that users might unknowingly create accounts in China, exposing their identities and online activities to Chinese authorities.
"DeepSeek is a serious national security threat," Marshall stated. He emphasized the risk of adversaries like China accessing personal data for malicious purposes. According to him, preventing China's DeepSeek AI from being used on government devices is not only prudent but necessary for safeguarding sensitive information.
Marshall highlighted previous incidents involving China that underscore its status as a significant national security threat to the United States. In 2023, a Chinese spy balloon was detected over U.S. territory. Additionally, in December of that year, it was revealed that the U.S. Treasury Department had been hacked by China, compromising employee workstations and stealing sensitive data related to foreign investments' national security risks.
Several countries have already taken action against DeepSeek by blocking it on government devices or entirely within their borders. These nations include Canada, Australia, South Korea, Taiwan, and Italy. Moreover, DeepSeek's association with China Mobile—which has ties to the Chinese military and has faced U.S. sanctions—adds another layer of concern.
The letter urged Congress to take steps toward banning DeepSeek on government devices as a measure of protecting America's national security interests.