Texas Bans Chinese AI and Social Media Apps on Government Devices, Including DeepSeek and RedNote

Texas brings the ban hammer down on DeepSeek and RedNote

If you're a government worker in Texas, you can't use DeepSeek or many other Chinese-developed applications on your state-issued device. Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, has instated a ban, preventing state employees from downloading, installing, or using several notable Chinese apps on government-sanctioned devices. Sighting data privacy and national security concerns, the Governor decreed that state workers are prohibited from interacting with Chinese AI and social media apps including DeepSeek, RedNote, and Lemon8 on state-owned devices. Additionally, the ban includes Chinese stock-trading platforms such as Moomoo, Tiger Brokers, and Webull. Recommended Videos "Texas will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate our state's critical infrastructure through data-harvesting AI and social media apps. Texas will continue to protect and defend our state from hostile foreign actors," Governor Abbott said in a proclamation on the Texas state website. The ban comes as several Chinese apps become more popularized in the U.S. and globally. The open-source AI chatbot DeepSeek has become the top competition for similar brands in the West. At the same time, the app's legality and data collection protocol was quickly brought into question. Notably, Texas is the first state in the U.S. to ban DeepSeek. The U.S. Navy, Congress, the Pentagon, the Finance Ministry, and NASA have also banned the use of the AI app, all similarly sighting privacy and security concerns. Several countries have also moved swiftly to ban DeepSeek. Italy was first, with the app disappearing from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store not long after being questioned by the Italian data watchdog group, the Garante, according to Android Headlines. Taiwan and Australia have also restricted the app from being used in their countries. Some other countries are currently weighing the risks of keeping DeepSeek legal for use, including Ireland, some EU members, the UK, and South Korea. Texas was also ahead of the game in banning TikTok on state-sanctioned devices in 2022. Since then thirty states put similar TikTok bans in place for government workers, ahead of the federal ban in mid-January, which saw millions of U.S. users take to the Chinese app, RedNote. However, interest in the app has waned after access to TikTok was quickly reinstated.

Texas becomes the first state in the U.S to ban Chinese AI sensation DeepSeek after app reaches top of Apple Store

Recent developments have revealed that the government of Texas state eventually became the very first state in the whole US to end up banning DeepSeek which has become the Chinese sensation and the reason is quite significant. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has recently issued a ban on several Chinese owned apps which includes the AI platform DeepSeek and renowned social media app RedNote specifically on government issued devices, reported The US Sun. According to The US Sun, this decision actually follows the rapid rise of DeepSeek which has gained significant popularity during recent times and is now viewed as a potential security threat due to its data harvesting capabilities. Texas Governor Greg Abbott also stated that 'Texas will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate our state's critical infrastructure through data-harvesting AI and social media apps' while emphasizing on the severe need to protect against foreign espionage. The ban reportedly also extends to Lemon8 which is another app owned by the parent company of TikTok named ByteDance. The administration of Texas Governor Greg Abbott is really concerned about the implications of these apps on state security specifically given that Chinese companies are required to share data with their government, asserted The US Sun. Several cybersecurity experts have hugely criticized DeepSeek for being 'highly vulnerable' and potentially harmful. This recent move now aligns with the broader national concerns regarding Chinese technology and its impact on the US security, noted The US Sun. The ban reportedly reflects a growing bipartisan apprehension about foreign influence in American digital infrastructure specifically in light of recent controversies surrounding TikTok. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has recently issued a ban on several Chinese owned apps which includes the AI platform DeepSeek and renowned social media app RedNote specifically on government issued devices. Texas Governor Greg Abbott also stated that 'Texas will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate our state's critical infrastructure through data-harvesting AI and social media apps' while emphasizing on the severe need to protect against foreign espionage.

Texas Bans DeepSeek, RedNote, Lemon8 on Government Devices

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a ban prohibiting the use of social media and AI apps affiliated with the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on government-issued devices. Though TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company Bytedance, is banned on government devices in over 30 states, this is the first time a state has cracked down on having other Chinese-produced apps on government devices. The ban impacted six apps in total: the AI model DeepSeek, the social media apps Lemon8 and RedNote, as well as the stock trading apps Moomoo, Tiger Brokers, and Webull. "Texas will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate our state's critical infrastructure through data-harvesting AI and social media apps," said Abbott. In the official filing, he dubbed the apps "a security risk to the state of Texas." The news of the ban comes as many of these Chinese-made apps and tools have hugely spiked in popularity. DeepSeek drew widespread praise for its AI model's low costs and impressive performance, with some commentators calling it a 'Sputnik moment,' a reference to how the Soviet Union successfully launched the first satellite into space, a major moment in the 'space race' with the US. Visits to the AI model's website spiked from just 300,000 per day to six million. DeepSeek is also attracting plenty of attention from other political powers that be. President Donald Trump called DeepSeek's recent spike in popularity a "wake-up call" for American companies at an annual policy retreat earlier this week. RedNote, a short-form video-focused social network that bears broad similarities to TikTok, also experienced a huge upsurge in popularity in the run-up to the original TikTok blackout on Jan. 19, at one point gaining over 200,000 users in one month. However, its popularity dropped by around 50% in a single day after TikTok resumed availability. Abbott has been shown to take a firm hand when it comes to Chinese technology in the past. Texas became one of the first US states to ban TikTok on government devices in December 2022, just a few weeks after South Dakota. The crackdown on Chinese tech comes as the fate of TikTok remains highly uncertain; Trump signed an executive order commanding the Department of Justice not to take any action to enforce the ban for 75 days as the White House looks to secure a deal. Unconfirmed reports have surfaced of the White House brokering a deal to save TikTok involving enterprise software giant Oracle.

Texas Becomes First U.S. State to Ban China's DeepSeek AI Over Security Concerns

China's DeepSeek AI Faces Growing Bans in the U.S. and Australia Texas became the first U.S. state to implement an official prohibition against DeepSeek AI solutions from every state-issued device database. Governor Greg Abbott signed the order while he expressed worries about security and apprehension regarding the Chinese Communist Party's access to state-sensitive data. The state ban supports broader efforts to defend national infrastructure, intellectual property, and personal data from foreign espionage activities. During his , Governor Abbott highlighted the necessity of blocking foreign entities from accessing Texas-based technology databases. The governor declared that Texas would never permit the Chinese Communist Party to use AI and social media apps for data collection and surveillance operations. All state agencies received directives to eliminate and other Chinese-affiliated apps from existing state devices without delay.

Texas becomes first state to ban DeepSeek, Rednote on government...

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an order banning the contested artificial intelligence app DeepSeek and the popular TikTok alternative RedNote from government-issued devices, becoming the first state to block the Chinese apps. The governor's issue also prohibited Lemon8, another social media app owned by TikTok's Chinese parent company Bytedance, which many turned to on the eve of TikTok's temporary shutdown in the United States. "Texas will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate our state's critical infrastructure through data-harvesting AI and social media apps. Texas will continue to protect and defend our state from hostile foreign actors," Abbott said in a statement. The growing AI platform DeepSeek took the market by storm after it proved to outperform the US's OpenAI at a much lower cost. Last week, the app caused tech stocks to dip by $1 trillion, creating panic on Wall Street. The chatbot has raised security concerns not dissimilar to those that led to TikTok's ban. The app, which has been downloaded over 2 million times since its debut on Jan. 15, reportedly collects and stores US user data in China. All companies based in China are required by law to share any data with the Chinese Communist Party government upon request -- potentially putting American user data in hands unfriendly to the US. Others have already started blocking the AI chatbot due to security concerns, including the US Navy. RedNote, or Xiaohongshu, was the lifeboat for TikTok's sinking Titanic as the ban loomed in early January. It's a popular social media app in China and other parts of East Asia, including Malaysia and Taiwan. TikTok has already been banned on government devices since former President Joe Biden signed an act prohibiting it in Dec. 2022. The app's future is still shaky following President Trump's eleventh-hour intervention the day before his inauguration granting ByteDance more time to sell the app. The popular app was restricted in the United States for mere hours on Jan. 18, randomly shutting down around 10:30 p.m. despite many users believing they had until midnight. It was up again in a little over 12 hours following a night of widespread confusion. Currently, Microsoft is believed to be a frontrunner for TikTok's purchase.

Texas governor orders ban on DeepSeek, RedNote for government devices

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott issued a ban on Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek for government-issued devices, becoming the first state to restrict the popular chatbot in such a manner. The upstart AI platform has sent shockwaves throughout the AI community after gaining popularity amongst American users in recent weeks. The governor also prohibited popular Chinese-owned social media apps Xiaohongshu, or what some are calling RedNote, and Lemon8 from all state-issued devices. "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. AI startup DeepSeek has rocked markets upon demonstrating its capacity to compete with industry leader OpenAI. U.S. also users flocked to Xiaohongshu in the days leading up to TikTok's short-lived ban. It's a popular app in China and surrounding countries -- such as Malaysia and Taiwan -- with roughly 300 million active users that many Americans were using as a replacement doe TikTok, and as a form of protest against the ban. Lemon8 is also a Chinese company owned by ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. The social media app also gained traction in the days leading up to the original TikTok ban on Jan. 19. Texas, along with many other states and the federal government, has banned TikTok on government devices. The app's future remains in limbo after President Trump issued an executive order to give ByteDance more time to divest TikTok's U.S. operations. ByteDance did not immediately return an email seeking comment. ___ Lathan is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

Texas governor orders ban on DeepSeek, RedNote for government devices

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott issued a ban on Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek for government-issued devices, becoming the first state to restrict the popular chatbot in such a manner. The upstart AI platform has sent shockwaves throughout the AI community after gaining popularity amongst American users in recent weeks. The governor also prohibited popular Chinese-owned social media apps Xiaohongshu, or what some are calling RedNote, and Lemon8 from all state-issued devices. "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. AI startup DeepSeek has rocked markets upon demonstrating its capacity to compete with industry leader OpenAI. U.S. also users flocked to Xiaohongshu in the days leading up to TikTok's short-lived ban. It's a popular app in China and surrounding countries -- such as Malaysia and Taiwan -- with roughly 300 million active users that many Americans were using as a replacement doe TikTok, and as a form of protest against the ban. Lemon8 is also a Chinese company owned by ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. The social media app also gained traction in the days leading up to the original TikTok ban on Jan. 19. Texas, along with many other states and the federal government, has banned TikTok on government devices. The app's future remains in limbo after President Trump issued an executive order to give ByteDance more time to divest TikTok's U.S. operations. ByteDance did not immediately return an email seeking comment. Lathan is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

China's DeepSeek ban begins in US -- And it started in Elon Musk's new home state

Texas becomes the first US state to ban the Chinese AI app DeepSeek, citing national security risks. The move follows concerns about data security, with fears that the Chinese government could access sensitive information stored in China. The ban is part of broader international scrutiny, as other nations, including Italy, Taiwan, and Australia, take similar actions. Texas Governor Greg Abbott's order comes as the state becomes home to Elon Musk's SpaceX headquarters, further elevating its status in the global tech landscape.Texas has become the first state in the United States to ban the Chinese-owned AI app, DeepSeek, due to escalating concerns about national security. Governor Greg Abbott signed an order prohibiting the use of DeepSeek on all state-issued devices, citing fears that the Chinese Communist Party could access sensitive data. The ban places Texas at the forefront of a global movement against the app, which has raised concerns due to its data storage practices and links to the Chinese government. Abbott explained the reasoning behind the ban, stating, "Texas will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate our state's critical infrastructure through data-harvesting AI and social media apps." He added that state agencies and employees handling critical infrastructure, intellectual property, and personal information must be shielded from "malicious espionage operations" by the Chinese government. DeepSeek, a Chinese-developed artificial intelligence application, has gained significant attention worldwide for its ability to outperform OpenAI at a much lower cost. However, its popularity has been clouded by concerns regarding data security. Reports have indicated that the app stores user data on servers in China, raising fears about the potential for Chinese authorities to access this information under local laws, which mandate that companies share data with the government if requested. These concerns have already led to the US Navy banning the app, with NASA and other government agencies following suit. DeepSeek has also been banned from US military devices and is under intense scrutiny by US lawmakers and regulators. Governor Abbott's move aligns with growing concerns in the United States about the potential risks posed by Chinese apps like DeepSeek, which may compromise user privacy and national security. Abbott's statement underscores Texas' commitment to safeguarding its state infrastructure from foreign threats: "Texas will continue to protect and defend our state from hostile foreign actors." The DeepSeek ban also comes at a time when Texas is becoming increasingly significant in the tech world. The state is now home to the headquarters of Elon Musk's SpaceX and his social media platform, X, which relocated from California in 2023. Musk's decision to move to Texas was partly in response to a controversial law in California that required teachers to notify parents if their child changed their name or gender identity at school. Musk, known for his outspoken views, expressed frustration with the law, further cementing his decision to move his companies to Texas. Musk's move to Texas has been framed as part of the state's broader appeal to tech companies and innovators. SpaceX's headquarters in Texas, combined with Musk's increasing influence, further elevates the state as a hub for technological progress. However, the DeepSeek ban also reflects a growing unease about foreign tech companies potentially compromising national security. The scrutiny surrounding DeepSeek is not limited to the United States. Italy, Taiwan, and Australia have also taken action against the app, citing national security concerns. Italy's Data Protection Authority ordered a nationwide ban on DeepSeek, preventing it from being downloaded from Apple and Google app stores. The Italian regulator also opened an investigation into the app's compliance with European data protection laws. Taiwan's Ministry of Digital Affairs followed suit, banning DeepSeek from government agencies and urging companies involved in critical infrastructure to take similar action. Australia imposed its own ban on 4 February 2025, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stating that the app posed a significant national security risk. The rising global backlash against DeepSeek reflects a broader trend of governments and security experts taking a stand against Chinese tech companies and their potential influence over global data. As more countries join the list of those investigating or imposing restrictions on DeepSeek, the app's future remains uncertain. Amid growing concerns, US lawmakers are also considering tougher measures to restrict the use of DeepSeek and other Chinese-developed technologies. Republican Senator Josh Hawley introduced a bill that would impose severe penalties for using AI products developed in China. The bill, though not mentioning DeepSeek specifically, proposes fines of up to $1 million for individuals and up to $100 million for businesses found in violation. The bill also includes the possibility of jail sentences of up to 20 years for individuals caught advancing AI capabilities in China. Security experts have warned that DeepSeek's data storage policies could expose businesses and governments to significant risks. Bill Conner, CEO of automation firm Jitterbit, and former US security advisor, stated, "DeepSeek represents a clear risk for any enterprise whose leadership values data privacy, security, and transparency." Conner added that the app's shared cloud service model, with data stored in China, introduces "unknown risks to data privacy, compliance mandates, and security controls." Texas' decision to ban DeepSeek is just the beginning of a broader global movement against the Chinese app. With growing concerns over national security, privacy, and data protection, more countries are likely to follow suit in the coming months. As the US, along with other nations, grapples with the implications of Chinese-developed AI technologies, the debate over data security and national sovereignty will continue to shape the future of digital governance.

Texas Governor Orders Ban on DeepSeek, RedNote for Government Devices

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott issued a ban on Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek for government-issued devices, becoming the first state to restrict the popular chatbot in such a manner. The upstart AI platform has sent shockwaves throughout the AI community after gaining popularity amongst American users in recent weeks. The governor also prohibited popular Chinese-owned social media apps Xiaohongshu, or what some are calling RedNote, and Lemon8 from all state-issued devices. "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. AI startup DeepSeek has rocked markets upon demonstrating its capacity to compete with industry leader OpenAI. U.S. also users flocked to Xiaohongshu in the days leading up to TikTok's short-lived ban. It's a popular app in China and surrounding countries -- such as Malaysia and Taiwan -- with roughly 300 million active users that many Americans were using as a replacement doe TikTok, and as a form of protest against the ban. Lemon8 is also a Chinese company owned by ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. The social media app also gained traction in the days leading up to the original TikTok ban on Jan. 19. Texas, along with many other states and the federal government, has banned TikTok on government devices. The app's future remains in limbo after President Trump issued an executive order to give ByteDance more time to divest TikTok's U.S. operations. ByteDance did not immediately return an email seeking comment. ___ Lathan is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Abbott bars Texas officials from using DeepSeek, RedNote on government devices

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) banned state officials from using Chinese-owned technology such as DeepSeek and RedNote on government devices Friday. "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 press release. "Texas will continue to protect and defend our state from hostile foreign actors." In recent weeks, DeepSeek, an artificial intelligence (AI) startup, and RedNote, a short-form video social media app, have surged in popularity across the country as concerns about Chinese-owned tech continue to escalate following TikTok's short-lived ban in the U.S. "State agencies and employees responsible for handling critical infrastructure, intellectual property, and personal information must be protected from malicious espionage operations by the Chinese Communist Party," Abbott added in the release. President Trump called DeepSeek's newfound hold in the country a "wakeup call." "The release of DeepSeek, AI from a Chinese company, should be a wake-up call for our industries that we need to be laser-focused on competing to win," he told House Republicans at their annual policy retreat earlier this week. Meanwhile, former Google CEO Eric Schmitt called the AI startup's burst onto the scene a "turning point" in the global artificial intelligence race. "There is clearly mounting pressure on America's Big Tech players if DeepSeek can compete with them using far fewer resources," he wrote in an op-ed. However, DeepSeek has largely been dismissed by other tech leaders. OpenAI creator Sam Altman claimed the AI model's impact has been "wildly overstated" while Meta's Mark Zuckerberg voiced confidence in his own company's AI work. RedNote, also barred by Abbott in the order, was among the top free downloads in Apple's U.S. app store the week TikTok's court ordered ban was slated to come into effect. Abbott previously banned TikTok from government devices in 2022. Other apps included in the Texas ban include Webull, Tiger Brokers, Moomoo and Lemon8.

Texas governor bans Chinese AI platform DeepSeek on state devices

Gov. Greg Abbott has announced a ban on the Chinese AI platform DeepSeek, making Texas the first state to restrict this app. The ban specifically targets the use of DeepSeek on government-issued devices, prohibiting state employees from using the app on any state-provided devices.