Texas has banned several apps, including the popular AI assistant DeepSeek, from government-issued devices. The decision follows Governor Greg Abbott’s directive to prohibit apps linked to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Initially, the ban applied only to TikTok, but it has now been extended to six more apps. These include AI chatbot DeepSeek, social media platforms Lemon8 and RedNote, and stock-trading apps Moomoo, Tiger Brokers, and Webull.
TikTok, owned by ByteDance, has already been banned on government devices in Texas and over 30 other US states since 2022. Governor Abbott stated that Texas will not allow Chinese-affiliated apps to compromise the state’s security through data collection.
The ban was justified on security grounds, with officials stating that these apps pose a risk to the state’s critical infrastructure. A proclamation outlining the concerns was sent to Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson.
DeepSeek’s removal comes at a time when it had gained immense popularity, impacting major AI competitors and topping app marketplaces worldwide. The restriction is expected to spark further debate over data security and the role of foreign tech companies in the US market.
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