Texas has become the first state in the U.S. to prohibit the use of the Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek and the social media platform RedNote on government-issued devices, citing national security risks and concerns over potential foreign influence. Governor Greg Abbott announced the decision, reinforcing the state’s commitment to safeguarding critical infrastructure from potential threats linked to data-harvesting applications controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.
DeepSeek, which has rapidly gained traction among American users, has come under scrutiny due to its data storage practices. The platform’s privacy policies indicate that user data is housed on servers in China, raising fears that the Chinese government could access sensitive information. Additionally, experts warn that the AI system could be exploited for foreign influence operations, disinformation campaigns, surveillance, and even the development of cyberweapons.
Similarly, RedNote—also known as Xiaohongshu—is a Chinese-owned social media app that gained popularity in the U.S. as an alternative during a temporary TikTok shutdown. Like DeepSeek, it has sparked concerns over data-sharing practices and the possibility of user information being accessed by the Chinese government.
Texas’ decision reflects growing apprehension over data privacy and foreign influence in technology, particularly regarding applications developed by Chinese firms. The ban on DeepSeek and RedNote follows similar restrictions placed on TikTok, which has already been barred from government devices in multiple states and at the federal level due to comparable security concerns.
