Texas has made a bold move, becoming the first state to ban DeepSeek, RedNote, and Lemon8 from government devices. Governor Greg Abbott took action after growing fury over apps linked to China.
Governor Abbott’s statement on national security
The order, issued by Abbott, specifically targets DeepSeek, a controversial AI chatbot, and RedNote, a popular TikTok alternative. The move also includes Lemon8, a social media app owned by TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Abbott was clear in his stance. “Texas will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate our state’s critical infrastructure through data-harvesting AI and social media apps,” he stated. “We will continue to protect and defend our state from hostile foreign actors.”
Rising concerns over security
The decision follows rising concerns about security. Last week, the presence of these apps on American devices caused a $1 trillion dip in tech stocks, sending shockwaves through Wall Street.
DeepSeek, the AI chatbot, has become a key focus of concern. Launched just weeks ago, it has already been downloaded over 2 million times. But it’s not just its popularity that’s alarming. The app reportedly collects and stores U.S. user data in China. This poses a huge security risk, especially since Chinese law requires companies to share data with the government upon request.
RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu, became a new favorite for many after fears of a TikTok shutdown grew. This app has gained massive popularity in China and other East Asian countries like Malaysia and Taiwan. However, Texas’ ban now puts this app in the spotlight as well.
U.S. military blocks DeepSeek over security
Abbott’s move mirrors actions taken by other agencies, including the U.S. Navy, which has already blocked DeepSeek for similar security reasons. The bot’s potential to leak sensitive U.S. data into the hands of Chinese authorities has fueled widespread panic.
This latest ban builds on the December 2022 law signed by President Joe Biden, which already prohibited TikTok on government devices. But the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain. Former President Donald Trump’s last-minute intervention allowed ByteDance more time to sell the app, delaying its potential shutdown. In January 2023, TikTok faced a sudden, temporary ban on government devices. Users were left in confusion when the app briefly shut down without warning, only to return hours later. This incident further added to the already tense situation surrounding the app.
Now, all eyes are on the next steps for TikTok. As the ban remains in place, Microsoft is emerging as the frontrunner to purchase the app and resolve its ongoing troubles.
Texas sets the stage for other states
Texas’ decisive action marks a turning point. It signals the state’s commitment to safeguarding its infrastructure and the personal data of its citizens. The question now is: Will other states follow suit? Only time will tell, but for now, Texas is taking a stand against China-backed apps on government devices.
