Manual Thomas
Published on: February 7, 2025 Writer

Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has issued an executive order banning the use of Chinese-owned AI platform DeepSeek and social media app RedNote (commonly known as Xiaohongshu) on all state government devices. The move marks the first time a state has specifically restricted DeepSeek, an emerging AI rival to industry leader OpenAI that has grown in popularity among American users.

“Texas will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate our state’s critical infrastructure through data-harvesting AI and social media apps,” Abbott said in a statement. “Texas will continue to protect and defend our state from hostile foreign actors.” The governor’s office declined to comment further for this story.

The governor also expanded the restriction to ban Lemon8, another Chinese-owned social media platform affiliated with ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. Observers note that Texas has already joined numerous other states and the federal government in banning TikTok on government-issued devices, citing similar cybersecurity concerns.

DeepSeek has garnered significant attention for its advanced AI capabilities, triggering anxieties among U.S. officials over potential data gathering. The order comes amid persistent tension around foreign-owned apps, as many critics accuse such platforms of funneling sensitive information to foreign governments.

With Texas at the forefront, more states may follow suit to restrict DeepSeek and other Chinese-based apps. For now, this ban signals growing vigilance among policymakers, who remain wary of cyber threats and the ever-evolving risks of AI technology.