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Apr 14 2025
Artificial Intelligence

These States Have Banned DeepSeek

The roster of states that have publicly announced DeepSeek bans on all government networks and devices is growing.
Dominick Sorrentino
by

Dominick Sorrentino is web editor for StateTech.

DeepSeek turned heads and roiled markets after its January 2025 launch. The Chinese AI platform billed itself as a more efficient alternative to generative artificial intelligence programs such as ChatGPT.

But lawmakers have since drafted bills that, if passed, would ban DeepSeek from use on federal government-issued devices and networks. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., and Darin LaHood, R-Ill., also issued a memo to 47 governors and the mayor of Washington, D.C., warning that the platform risks exposing sensitive government information to foreign adversaries.

Meanwhile, several states and some public colleges and universities have already banned the Chinese GenAI platform. Below is a complete list of states that have issued public announcements banning DeepSeek from use on state devices.

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Texas

Texas became the first state to ban DeepSeek as of Jan. 31, 2025, with a handful of other applications, including Lemon8 and RedNote, that it deemed to be security threats. 

New York

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a statewide ban of DeepSeek that forbids it from being downloaded or used on any government networks or devices as of Feb. 10, 2025. 

Virginia

The Commonwealth became the third state to ban DeepSeek on Feb. 11, 2025, with Gov. Glenn Youngkin calling it “a threat to the security and safety of the citizens.”

Iowa

Gov. Kim Reynolds sent a directive to the Iowa Department of Management on Feb. 19, 2025 instructing them to ban DeepSeek along with several other Chinese-made applications.

South Dakota

In March, Gov. Larry Rhoden and the South Dakota Bureau of Information and Telecommunications announced bans of DeepSeek and RedNote on all government-issued devices and for all government contractors, pursuant to Executive Order 2023-06.

Nebraska

On March 5, 2025, Gov. Jim Pillen signed an executive order banning the “use or download of applications, software, and platforms created or owned by affiliates of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on state networks and devices.”

Tennessee

Gov. Bill Lee banned DeepSeek on March 6, 2025, along with Alibaba-owned Manus.

Arkansas

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced bans of Chinese-based platforms DeepSeek, RedNote and Lemon8 on March 6, 2025.

North Dakota

North Dakota Information Technology implemented security controls to block the use of DeepSeek on state-owned devices.

Oklahoma

At the request of Gov. Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma’s CIO issued a ban of DeepSeek that went into effect March 21, 2025. 

Alabama

Gov. Kay Ivey issued a memo on March 26, 2025, to agencies across the state officially banning DeepSeek, Manus and “similar harmful technologies,” according to Government Technology.

Kansas

Gov. Laura Kelly approved a bill banning DeepSeek on state-owned devices and networks on April 8, 2025.

More Bans Likely to Come

A coalition of attorneys general from 21 states urged Congress to pass the No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act, which would ban DeepSeek on all federal devices. It’s likely just a matter of time before more states publicly issue bans of DeepSeek.

Editor’s Note: This is a developing story.

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