Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered a ban on the Chinese-owned AI platform DeepSeek and social media apps Xiaohongshu (RedNote) and Lemon8 from all state-issued devices. This makes Texas the first state to restrict DeepSeek, a growing competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, on government devices.
Concerns Over Data Privacy
Governor Abbott’s decision is driven by concerns over data privacy and national security. He believes these apps could allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate U.S. infrastructure through data-harvesting tactics. Abbott stated, “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.”
DeepSeek’s Rapid Growth
In recent months, DeepSeek has gained significant attention. The AI platform has quickly positioned itself as a competitor to ChatGPT. As a result, its user base has expanded rapidly, including many users in the U.S.
Popularity of Xiaohongshu and Lemon8
In addition to DeepSeek, Xiaohongshu (RedNote) and Lemon8, both owned by ByteDance, have also seen growing popularity in the U.S. Many Americans turned to Xiaohongshu as a replacement for TikTok after concerns over its potential ban. The app now boasts over 300 million active users worldwide. Moreover, Lemon8 has been gaining traction, particularly as TikTok faces increasing scrutiny.
Texas Joins Nationwide Effort to Limit Chinese-Owned Apps
Texas is not the only state taking action against Chinese-owned apps. Several other states and the federal government have already banned TikTok on government devices. Governor Abbott’s order highlights the growing concerns over national security and data privacy across the nation.
ByteDance’s Response
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok and Lemon8, has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding Texas’ decision. As the future of TikTok in the U.S. remains uncertain, Abbott’s executive order reflects the ongoing debate about foreign-owned technology and data security.
