Texas Governor Greg Abbott has banned state employees from using several Chinese-developed applications, including DeepSeek, on government-issued devices. This move, citing data privacy and national security concerns, prohibits downloading, installing, or using a range of Chinese apps, including AI platforms, social media apps, and stock-trading platforms.
The ban targets popular Chinese apps like the AI chatbot DeepSeek, social media platforms RedNote and Lemon8, and stock trading apps such as Moomoo, Tiger Brokers, and Webull. Governor Abbott stated on the Texas state website that the ban is a measure to prevent the Chinese Communist Party from infiltrating the state’s critical infrastructure through data harvesting. “Texas will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate our state’s critical infrastructure through data-harvesting AI and social media apps. Texas will continue to protect and defend our state from hostile foreign actors,” he proclaimed.
DeepSeek Ban Follows National and International Trend
This ban reflects a growing concern over the security implications of Chinese-developed applications. DeepSeek, an open-source AI chatbot, has faced increasing scrutiny regarding its data collection practices. While gaining popularity globally, its legality and data handling protocols have been questioned by various government agencies and countries. Texas is the first U.S. state to ban DeepSeek, following similar bans by the U.S. Navy, Congress, the Pentagon, the Finance Ministry, and NASA, all driven by privacy and security concerns.
Internationally, several countries have also taken action against DeepSeek. Italy led the way, removing the app from app stores after inquiries by its data watchdog, the Garante. Taiwan and Australia have also implemented restrictions on DeepSeek’s usage. Other countries, including Ireland, several EU members, the UK, and South Korea, are currently evaluating the potential risks associated with the app and considering further action.
Texas Continues Proactive Approach to Data Security
This isn’t Texas’s first proactive step in addressing perceived threats from foreign-owned applications. In 2022, Texas banned TikTok on state devices, a move later adopted by thirty other states and culminating in a federal ban in mid-January. The federal ban, however, was short-lived, and interest in RedNote, a Chinese app that saw a surge in users during the TikTok ban, subsequently declined after TikTok’s reinstatement.
The Future of Chinese Apps in Texas
The Texas ban on Chinese applications reflects the ongoing debate surrounding data security, national security, and the role of foreign-developed software in government operations. As more countries grapple with these issues, the landscape for Chinese apps in international markets remains uncertain. This latest move by Texas underscores the growing emphasis on data protection and the potential for further restrictions on similar applications in the future.
