Big Sky Times

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has taken the lead in a coalition of 21 state attorneys general, urging Congress to pass legislation that would prohibit the use of DeepSeek, an artificial intelligence platform linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), on government devices. The proposed legislation is known as the “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act.”

In a letter addressed to congressional leaders, Attorney General Knudsen expressed concerns about the potential security risks posed by DeepSeek. He highlighted that the platform could transmit user data directly to China and potentially expose users' identities and online activities to the Chinese government.

Knudsen cited past incidents involving China as evidence of ongoing national security threats. In 2023, a Chinese spy balloon was detected over Montana, and later that year, it was reported that China had hacked into U.S. Treasury Department systems, accessing sensitive data.

“DeepSeek is a trojan horse sent in by the Chinese Communist Party to spy on our country. It poses a serious national security risk and should not be allowed on government devices,” stated Attorney General Knudsen. He further emphasized his actions within Montana's Department of Justice where he has already banned DeepSeek due to its tracking capabilities.

Other countries have also taken steps against DeepSeek. The platform has been blocked from government devices in Canada, Australia, South Korea, and Taiwan. Italy has gone further by implementing a nationwide ban.

The attorneys general collectively urged Congress for swift action: “Congress should protect America’s national security by banning DeepSeek on government devices." They also expressed confidence that such measures would be promptly enforced if necessary.

Attorney General Knudsen remains committed to safeguarding Montanans from CCP surveillance efforts. His previous initiatives include banning TikTok in Montana during the 2023 legislative session and advocating for upholding a national TikTok ban at the Supreme Court level.