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On Tuesday, Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order Number Forty-Six (2025), banning the use of DeepSeek artificial intelligence (AI) on state government technology. The ban applies to government-owned or leased devices and networks owned or maintained by the government. The executive order is intended to protect the security of the Commonwealth’s information technology infrastructure and sensitive data, including personally identifiable information, tax data, health records, and intellectual property.

“China’s DeepSeek AI poses a threat to the security and safety of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Youngkin said. “We must continue to take steps to safeguard our operations and information from the Chinese Communist Party. This executive order is an important part of that undertaking.”  

The Order directs that no employee of any Commonwealth of Virginia agency shall download or use the DeepSeek AI application on any government-issued device, including state-issued cell phones, laptops, or other devices capable of connecting to the Internet. The Order further prohibits downloading or accessing the DeepSeek AI app on Commonwealth networks.

DeepSeek, a natural language processing chatbot developed by Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Basic Technology Research Co., Ltd., has raised significant security and privacy concerns. Security researchers have discovered that the DeepSeek application contains code capable of transmitting user login information to China Mobile, a state-owned enterprise. This discovery has prompted Governor Youngkin to implement restrictions similar to those previously placed on ByteDance Limited and Tencent Holdings Limited. In 2022, Executive Order 24 banned the download or use of applications developed by these companies and access to the TikTok and WeChat websites on government-issued devices. The current ban on DeepSeek aims to safeguard Virginia citizens’ vital data further. The Governor emphasizes that information technology infrastructure is integral to state government operations and serving the citizens of the Commonwealth.