In recent weeks, US Commerce Department informed staff that the Chinese artificial intelligence model DeepSeek is banned on government-furnished equipment (GFE). This directive was communicated through a mass email that emphasized the need to protect information systems.
The email stated, "To help keep Department of Commerce information systems safe, access to the new Chinese-based AI DeepSeek is broadly prohibited on all GFE." It further advised staff not to download, view, or access any applications, desktop apps, or websites related to DeepSeek.
The Commerce Department has not yet responded to requests for comment, and the overall scope of the ban across the U.S. government remains unclear.
DeepSeek's low-cost AI models caused a significant selloff in global equity markets in January, raising concerns among investors about the potential threat to the US lead in AI technology. US officials and lawmakers have voiced worries regarding DeepSeek's implications for data privacy and sensitive government information.
Congressmen Josh Gottheimer and Darin LaHood, both members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, introduced legislation in February to ban DeepSeek on government devices.
Several states, including Virginia, Texas, and New York, have already banned DeepSeek from government devices, and a coalition of 21 state attorneys general has called on Congress to take legislative action against the AI model.
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