A new law could punish people in the U.S. for using the Chinese AI app DeepSeek. This new law comes with severe punishment for those who are found guilty of using AI chat bots from China.
What the Law Says
Senator Josh Hawley introduced a bill to stop U.S. people and businesses from helping China’s AI development. It also bans AI technology from China in the U.S.
If the bill becomes law, anyone who breaks it could face:
- Up to 20 years in jail and a $1 million fine for individuals.
- Up to $100 million in fines for businesses.
Why This Law Matters
The bill does not name DeepSeek, but it comes just a week after the app became the most downloaded AI app in the U.S. Its sudden success caused U.S. tech stocks to fall.
Many people worry about privacy, security, and censorship. DeepSeek refuses to answer political questions about China. This raises concerns that the Chinese government controls the app. Some believe DeepSeek could be used to spread Chinese influence and gather user data.
Government Actions Against DeepSeek
The U.S. government is already taking steps to limit DeepSeek’s use:
- Former President Donald Trump called it a “wake-up call” for the U.S. tech industry.
- The U.S. Navy banned it on both work and personal devices.
- NASA blocked DeepSeek from government-issued devices.
- Texas became the first U.S. state to ban DeepSeek on all state-owned devices.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said:
“Texas will not let the Chinese Communist Party take control of our state’s data.”
Other states are now considering similar bans.
Experts Warn of Risks
Security experts say DeepSeek could be more dangerous than TikTok. The biggest concern is that all user data is stored in China, making it easier for the Chinese government to access. Experts warn about the following risks:
- Loss of privacy – User data could be collected without consent.
- Security threats – Data could be used for hacking or cyber-attacks.
- Censorship – The app could hide certain topics and spread propaganda.
Bill Conner, a cybersecurity expert, warned:
“DeepSeek runs on Chinese servers, which creates serious privacy and security risks.”
The U.S. government is watching DeepSeek closely. If concerns grow, more states or even the federal government may take action.
