Oklahoma Blocks DeepSeek AI on State Devices Over Security Risks
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt bans the Chinese artificial intelligence app DeepSeek from all state-owned devices due to severe cybersecurity and data privacy concerns. The state cites the app's data collection practices and lack of regulatory compliance as major threats.
Oklahoma officially bans the Chinese artificial intelligence app DeepSeek from all state-owned devices, including laptops, mobile phones, and tablets. Gov. Kevin Stitt announces the prohibition to prevent foreign adversaries from accessing state information, emphasizing that the state refuses to take chances with Oklahomans' data.
The decision stems from multiple security and compliance concerns highlighted by state officials. DeepSeek collects extensive user data such as chat history and IP addresses, storing this information in China in direct violation of the state chief information officer’s data storage standards. Furthermore, the app lacks necessary compliance features for regulations like FERPA and HIPAA, putting state agencies at risk of violating Executive Order 2024-11.
Technical vulnerabilities also drive the ban, as DeepSeek demonstrates a high susceptibility to adversarial manipulation and lacks a robust, layered security architecture. Combined with weak encryption and a history of significant cyberattacks, these flaws create an unacceptable risk of data leaks and unethical breaches, prompting the state to block the software entirely.