Texas AG Launches Probe into Chinese AI App DeepSeek for Alleged Data Theft
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has recently stirred the tech world by launching a probe into DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence company that made waves on Wall Street not long ago. Paxton alleges that DeepSeek is breaching Texas data privacy laws, citing the company's strong ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as a major concern. He claims that DeepSeek might be acting as a front for the CCP to weaken American AI dominance and unlawfully access the data of U.S. citizens.
Paxton points out that DeepSeek is bound by Chinese regulations that demand cooperation with government intelligence agencies, potentially jeopardizing users' private information. He has officially informed DeepSeek of its violation of the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act. Additionally, Paxton has instructed tech giants Google and Apple to provide all internal assessments of DeepSeek's AI chatbot app and any necessary documentation that the company submitted before being listed on their app stores.
Expressing his stance, Paxton stated, "I'm initiating a comprehensive investigation and urging Google and Apple to promptly cooperate by furnishing all pertinent documents related to the DeepSeek app. The U.S. and Texas are committed to leading global AI innovation, and any company aligned with the CCP that attempts to undermine this leadership by infringing on Texans' rights and unfairly competing with American tech firms will face legal repercussions."
Recently, Paxton took a decisive step by prohibiting the use of the AI assistant on all devices within his office due to national security apprehensions and the potential dissemination of CCP propaganda and censorship risks. Following suit, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin have also banned DeepSeek across all devices and networks in their respective states.
Conversely, former President Trump has adopted a more optimistic view of DeepSeek's entry into the market, suggesting that it should motivate Silicon Valley to enhance its innovation efforts. Trump remarked, "The introduction of DeepSeek AI by a Chinese firm should serve as a wake-up call for our industries to intensify their competitive spirit because we possess the most brilliant scientists globally." This statement was made when the budget-friendly chatbot was first introduced.
Paxton is known for his vigorous legal pursuits, having previously probed tech companies for privacy and safety issues. He has also taken legal action against pharmaceutical giants like Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, accusing them of potential deceptive trade practices in their marketing of the COVID-19 vaccine.
