NY bans DeepSeek AI from government devices

The recent rise of DeepSeek, a China-based AI company, has sparked significant security concerns among U.S. government officials. New York state has taken decisive action against the AI application, joining a growing movement to restrict Chinese-developed AI tools on government devices.

Key development: New York Governor Kathy Hochul has implemented a ban on DeepSeek across state government devices and networks, citing potential surveillance and censorship risks.

• The ban specifically prohibits state employees from downloading the application on ITS-managed devices and networks
• Officials expressed particular concern about DeepSeek’s potential to harvest user data and steal technology secrets
• The move aligns with New York’s broader 2024 guidance on AI use in government, which aims to balance innovation with privacy protection

Security concerns: Recent research has uncovered potentially problematic connections between DeepSeek and Chinese state entities.

• A security study revealed DeepSeek’s website contains code that could transmit user login information to China Mobile, a state-owned telecommunications company banned from U.S. operations
• While DeepSeek is not directly connected to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Chinese law requires companies to share data with the government upon request
• State Chief Cyber Officer Colin Ahern emphasized the importance of defending New York from cyber threats and protecting critical infrastructure

Legislative response: The security concerns have prompted bipartisan action at both state and federal levels.

• Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) introduced federal legislation to ban DeepSeek from government devices
• The app’s rapid rise to popularity, including reaching the top of app store rankings, has intensified scrutiny of its operations
• DeepSeek’s R1 AI model, launched last month, drew immediate comparisons to offerings from OpenAI and Google, while simultaneously causing U.S. stock market volatility

Looking ahead: National security implications: The DeepSeek controversy highlights the growing tension between the rapid advancement of AI technology and national security concerns, particularly regarding Chinese-developed applications. As more states and federal agencies evaluate their approach to foreign AI tools, this case could set important precedents for how U.S. institutions handle emerging AI technologies from potential geopolitical competitors.