Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 46 yesterday, which bans the use of China’s DeepSeek AI on state devices and state-run networks.
In late January, DeepSeek, one week after it launch, became the most downloaded mobile app, and dethroned OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The problem is that DeepSeek is owned by a Chinese hedge fund and OpenAI is mostly owned by Microsoft.
“China’s DeepSeek AI poses a threat to the security and safety of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. We must continue to take steps to safeguard our operations and information from the Chinese Communist Party. This executive order is an important part of that undertaking,” Youngkin said.
The Order directs that no employee of any agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall download or use the DeepSeek AI application on any government-issued devices, including state-issued cell phones, laptops or other devices capable of connecting to the internet. The Order further prohibits downloading or accessing the DeepSeek AI app on Commonwealth networks.
In the last few years, lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner, a former technology entrepreneur and now vice chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, have warned the federal government about CCP influence via Chinese-owned companies, such as TikTok.
The New York Times reported on Monday that Elon Musk made a $97.4 billion bid to buy OpenAI, but CEO Sam Altman said no.
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Rebecca Barnabi
