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New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a statewide ban on the DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence app from being downloaded on government devices and networks. DeepSeek, an AI startup founded by High-Flyer, a firm based in China, has raised concerns due to its potential connections to foreign government surveillance and censorship. The app could be used to harvest user data and steal technology secrets, prompting the ban.
Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of public safety, stating, "New York will continue fighting to combat cyber threats, ensure the privacy and safety of our data, and safeguard against state-sponsored censorship." This decision follows a similar ban on TikTok from state devices in 2020.
According to the official New York State website, the ban aligns with the state's Acceptable Use of Artificial Intelligence Technologies policy, which was established to responsibly evaluate AI systems and protect against unwanted outcomes. New York State Chief Cyber Officer Colin Ahern and Chief Information Officer Dru Rai both support the ban, highlighting its role in safeguarding critical infrastructure and privacy.
Spectrum Local News reported that Texas was the first state to implement a similar ban on DeepSeek on January 31. The app had gained popularity as a competitor to ChatGPT, becoming the top downloaded free app on Apple's iPhone store on January 27.