Montgomery, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in urging congressional leadership to pass the “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act.” This legislation seeks to prohibit government devices from downloading and using DeepSeek, an artificial intelligence platform linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
In a letter addressed to congressional leaders, Attorney General Marshall and his counterparts emphasized the potential national security risks posed by DeepSeek. According to the letter, the platform has the capability to transmit user data directly to the CCP, and users may unknowingly create accounts that expose their identities and online behavior to the Chinese government.
“DeepSeek is a serious national security threat,” stated Attorney General Marshall. “If China or other adversaries gain access to our personal data, they can weaponize it for malicious purposes. Keeping China’s DeepSeek artificial intelligence off of government devices isn’t just smart—it’s common sense. The risk of letting this technology connect directly to our networks and, by extension, to the Chinese Communist Party, is too great. Protecting sensitive data from adversaries should be something all Americans can agree on, regardless of political party. It’s about safeguarding our nation and ensuring our government’s security.”
Concerns over Chinese cyber threats have grown in recent years. In 2023, a Chinese spy balloon was detected flying over the United States. Later that year, the U.S. Treasury Department reported that its networks had been compromised by Chinese hackers who gained access to employees’ workstations and obtained sensitive data. Additionally, reports have surfaced regarding Chinese cyberespionage efforts targeting American government officials and political figures.
DeepSeek has already been restricted on government devices in several countries, including Canada, Australia, South Korea, and Taiwan. Italy has gone further by implementing a nationwide ban on the software. DeepSeek is also linked to China Mobile, a state-owned telecommunications company with ties to the Chinese military, which has been sanctioned by the U.S. government.
The letter sent by the attorneys general urges Congress to take swift action, stating, “Congress should protect America’s national security by banning DeepSeek on government devices.” The letter also references previous administrative actions aimed at restricting foreign technology threats and calls for bipartisan support in safeguarding U.S. government networks from potential foreign exploitation.
