Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s directive targets state-issued devices to protect critical infrastructure and personal data.
February 4, 2025: Texas has become the first U.S. state to ban the Chinese-owned AI app DeepSeek on state-issued devices, citing concerns about security risks and potential data exploitation by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order to protect state agencies, critical infrastructure, and sensitive data from what he described as “malicious espionage operations.”
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“Texas will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate our state’s critical infrastructure through data-harvesting AI and social media apps,” Abbott declared. He stressed the need to safeguard intellectual property, personal information, and state operations from foreign threats. The ban includes DeepSeek and other Chinese apps like RedNote and Lemon8, which are believed to have ties to the CCP.
DeepSeek: A Controversial AI App
DeepSeek has gained global attention for its performance, even surpassing OpenAI in certain areas at a fraction of the cost. However, its rapid rise has been marred by allegations of data harvesting and compliance with Chinese laws that require companies to share user data with the government. This has raised significant concerns in the U.S., with the Navy and other institutions already blocking access to the app.
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Elon Musk’s Texas Ties
The move comes as Texas becomes a focal point for major tech ventures. SpaceX and X (formerly Twitter), both owned by Elon Musk, recently moved their headquarters from California to Texas. Musk’s relocation was partly fueled by his dissatisfaction with California laws regarding parental notification in schools. He is also working on a plan to establish a self-governing community called Starbase near Boca Chica Beach, which would include its own police and fire departments.
Other Chinese Apps Under Scrutiny
The Texas ban extends to several other Chinese platforms, including RedNote, Lemon8, Webull, Tiger Brokers, and Moomoo. Lemon8 is owned by ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, which has also faced scrutiny over data security concerns.
Implications and Outlook
The ban signals growing tension between the U.S. and China over technology and data security. It reflects broader concerns about foreign access to sensitive information and the potential misuse of AI technology. Governor Abbott’s decision could pave the way for other states to implement similar measures, further straining U.S.-China tech relations.
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Texas, DeepSeek AI ban, Greg Abbott, Elon Musk, Chinese apps banned, CCP, ByteDance, RedNote, Lemon8, SpaceX Starbase, U.S.-China tech conflict