Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launches probe into Chinese AI app DeepSeek while Republican attorneys general across the country investigate Apple and Google for hosting Chinese-owned apps that pose potential threats to American data privacy.
At a Glance
- Texas AG Ken Paxton is investigating DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, for allegedly violating state data privacy laws and having ties to the Chinese Communist Party
- Paxton has ordered Apple and Google to provide documentation related to DeepSeek’s AI chatbot app
- Multiple Republican attorneys general are investigating Apple and Google for hosting TikTok, DeepSeek, and other Chinese-owned apps
- 39 states have banned TikTok from government devices, while several states including New York and Virginia have banned DeepSeek
- The Supreme Court upheld a 2024 law that aims to ban TikTok unless ByteDance divests ownership
Texas Leads Investigation into Chinese AI Company
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence company, over alleged violations of Texas data privacy laws. The probe centers on concerns about the company’s connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and potential threats to American data security. Paxton has formally notified DeepSeek of its violation of the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act and demanded that both Apple and Google provide all documentation and analysis related to the AI chatbot app.
The Republican AG said DeepSeek’s: “blatant allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)” is extremely concerning, as it “appears to be no more than a proxy for the CCP to undermine American AI dominance and steal the data of our citizens.”
DeepSeek has drawn significant attention for claims that it developed an advanced AI system using fewer computer chips than its American counterparts. This claim reportedly impacted U.S. financial markets and raised concerns about America’s competitive position in AI development. The company is also subject to Chinese laws that would require cooperation with government intelligence agencies, potentially compromising user data collected from Americans.
Multi-State Efforts Against Chinese-Owned Apps
The Texas investigation is part of a broader effort by Republican attorneys general across the country scrutinizing decisions by Apple and Google to host Chinese-owned applications on their platforms. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has issued subpoenas to both tech giants for documents related to their decisions regarding TikTok and other Chinese apps. These investigations are based on state consumer protection laws rather than federal law enforcement actions.
“I’m announcing a thorough investigation and calling on Google and Apple to cooperate immediately by providing all relevant documents related to the DeepSeek app,” Paxton told The Post.
Several states have taken direct action against DeepSeek, with New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin banning the AI assistant on state government devices. Additionally, 39 states have implemented bans on TikTok for government devices due to similar security concerns. The growing consensus among state officials reflects mounting worries about data security and foreign influence through popular applications.
International Scrutiny and Federal Actions
DeepSeek faces scrutiny beyond American borders, with Italy blocking the app over data transparency concerns and other European countries like France and the Netherlands reviewing its data practices. This international response highlights global apprehension about Chinese-owned technology companies and their data collection practices. The company is also under investigation by the U.S. House of Representatives for allegedly harvesting American data.
“The release of DeepSeek AI from a Chinese company should be a wake-up call for our industries that we need to be laser-focused on competing to win because we have the greatest scientists in the world,” Trump said last month when the low-cost chatbot launched.”
On the federal level, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, signed by former President Joe Biden in April 2024, aims to ban TikTok unless ByteDance divests its ownership. The Supreme Court upheld this law in January. This legislation follows earlier actions by President Donald Trump, who initially banned TikTok in 2020 before the order was overturned by President Biden in 2021. Critics continue to argue that TikTok serves as a tool for CCP propaganda and poses significant risks to both national security and children’s mental health.