Washington, D.C. – Attorneys General from 21 U.S. states have issued a direct plea to congressional leadership, urging immediate legislative action to prohibit the use of artificial intelligence software developed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on government-issued devices. In a letter dated March 6, 2025, addressed to The Honorable Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of the U.S. House, located at 568 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515, the state legal officers highlighted significant national security risks associated with the DeepSeek AI software.
The Attorneys General are specifically calling for Congress to pass the “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act.” This proposed bill aims to implement a strict prohibition on the download and use of DeepSeek AI Software on any device utilized by the U.S. government, citing concerns that the software could serve as a tool for espionage and data collection by the Chinese government.
DeepSeek AI: A Potential Espionage Tool?
The core of the Attorneys General’s concern lies in DeepSeek AI’s alleged capabilities to collect sensitive user data. Their letter details that the software is reportedly able to capture a wide range of information, including chat and search query history, keystroke patterns, IP addresses, and even activity from other apps running on a device. Alarmingly, the Attorneys General reference reports suggesting the software contains code designed to send this sensitive user data directly to the Chinese government.
This data collection potential, according to the state officials, poses a severe threat to national security if the software is used on government devices. They argue that the CCP could exploit this access to gather intelligence, compromise sensitive operations, and gain an undue advantage in cybersecurity and geopolitical arenas.
Drawing Parallels to Previous Bans
The letter from the coalition of 21 Attorneys General draws a clear parallel to previous actions taken by the U.S. government regarding foreign technology deemed a security risk. They specifically referenced the prior ban on the social media application TikTok on government devices, which was enacted over similar concerns about data privacy and potential access by the Chinese government.
The Attorneys General argue that the threat posed by advanced AI software like DeepSeek is potentially even more significant than that of social media applications, given AI’s deep integration into various digital processes and its capacity for sophisticated data analysis and transmission.
The Call to Action and Signatories
The letter serves as a strong call to action for Speaker Mike Johnson and the broader U.S. Congress. The Attorneys General emphasized the urgency of the situation, stressing that legislative action is needed swiftly to mitigate the perceived threat before DeepSeek AI gains wider traction on government systems.
Among the signatories of the letter is Attorney General Steve Marshall of Alabama. The coalition comprises Attorneys General from 21 U.S. states in total, underscoring a broad, bipartisan concern at the state level regarding the security implications of Chinese AI technology on federal infrastructure.
Context: Broader Concerns Over Chinese Cyber Activity
The Attorneys General’s concerns are placed within the broader context of reported Chinese cyberespionage campaigns. Their letter references these ongoing activities as evidence of the persistent threat posed by the Chinese government in the digital realm.
Furthermore, the letter cites past incidents like the Chinese spy balloon detected over U.S. airspace as examples of China’s efforts to conduct intelligence gathering, reinforcing the necessity of proactive measures to protect sensitive government data from potential exploitation through software like DeepSeek AI.
Conclusion: Protecting National Security in the Digital Age
The letter sent on March 6, 2025, to Speaker Mike Johnson represents a significant effort by U.S. state legal leaders to influence federal policy on technology and national security. By urging the passage of the “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act,” the Attorneys General from 21 U.S. states are advocating for a preemptive strike against what they view as a clear and present danger posed by CCP-linked artificial intelligence software.
The outcome of this plea to Congress will be closely watched, as it highlights the growing tension between technological advancement, global competition in AI development, and the imperative to safeguard sensitive government information against foreign adversaries in an increasingly digital world.
