Rosen, Cassidy Introduce Legislation to Protect Sensitive Federal Data from CCP-Owned DeepSeek, Adversarial AI Technologies

WASHINGTON, DC –U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced a bill to protect sensitive federal data from adversarial nations like the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The bipartisanProtection Against Foreign Adversarial Artificial Intelligence Actwould prohibit federal contractors from using DeepSeek, an artificial intelligence (AI) platform with direct ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), to fulfill contracts with federal agencies. DeepSeek poses a significant potential national security threat and is required by Chinese law to share the data it collects with the Chinese government and its intelligence agencies. Several U.S. states and allied nations have already moved to block DeepSeek from government devices due to critical security concerns.
“The U.S. must take steps to ensure Americans’ data and our government systems are protected against cyber threats from foreign adversaries,”said Senator Rosen.“This bipartisan legislation would prevent federal contractors from using Deepseek, a CCP-linked AI platform, when carrying out government work. I will continue working across party lines to bolster our national security and protect Americans’ data.”
“AI is a powerful tool which can be used to enhance things like medicine and education. But in the wrong hands, it can be weaponized. By feeding sensitive data into systems like DeepSeek, we give China another weapon,”said Dr. Cassidy.
Specifically, theProtection Against Foreign Adversarial Artificial Intelligence Actwould:
As the first and only former computer programmer to serve in the Senate, Senator Rosen has led the fight to strengthen the nation’s cybersecurity. Earlier this year, sheintroduced bipartisan legislationto prohibit the use of DeepSeek on all government devices and networks. Last year, Rosencalled onthe Department of Health and Human Services and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to create a plan to help health care systems respond to cyberattacks like the recent ransomware attack on Change Healthcare. Additionally, Senator Rosen’s bipartisanDepartment of Defense Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve Actbecame law to recruit civilian cybersecurity personnel to serve in reserve capacities and respond to cyberattacks during times of need.
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