The Trump admin has been making massive reforms. But they aren’t alone.
Because the Governor of Virginia has signed an executive order that’s even left President Trump wide-eyed in shock.
There have been concerns that China would be seeking to become a dominant force in economics and world politics not through democratic values but through ruling with an iron fist and neo-communism. The Communist Party of China has been getting away with blatant human rights and labor violations, allowing it to browbeat other nations into doing business with them because of the leg up they have on everyone else.
Many in the Republican Party have been sounding this alarm, pointing out that if nothing is done to stop China from abusing power, the United States will not be the dominant military and economic force forever. While China still plays backseat to the United States on economic and military issues, that won’t be the case if China continues on its trend of gobbling up every corporate interest and manufacturing interest as well as fiercely expanding it’s military.
One of the most recent developments that has corporate America and Washington, D.C. concerned is the way that China is literally ripping off American inventions and advancements in artificial intelligence and computer science. The Chinese alternative to a popular American AI model (ChatGPT) known as DeepSeek has everyone concerned that China clearly has bad intentions with the way they are approaching the computer science race.
DeepSeek, which operates almost exactly the same way as the American original ChatGPT, was literally built off of reverse engineering the efforts of American computer scientists. The difference is that Communist China doesn’t allow for the Chinese AI model to discuss anything negative about Communist China. That’s totalitarianism if anyone’s ever seen it. In response, some Republicans are calling on Trump to respond quickly to this concerning development. One Republican Governor is blazing that trail.
Virginia Takes Action to Ban DeepSeek AI App Amid Growing Security Concerns
Virginia has become the second state in as many days to take decisive action against the DeepSeek artificial intelligence (AI) app, banning its use on state-issued devices and networks. Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 46, emphasizing the threat the app poses to the security and safety of Virginians. This latest move follows increasing concerns about the potential risks associated with the app, which has ties to a Chinese research lab owned by a hedge fund with suspected affiliations to the Chinese Communist Party.
In a statement, Governor Youngkin made it clear that the decision was rooted in the need to protect Virginians from potential security breaches. “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 executive order explicitly bans the use of DeepSeek on any government-issued devices, including cellphones and laptops, as well as prohibiting its access via any government-run networks. The order highlights that the app could compromise vital information technology systems, which may contain sensitive data such as personally identifiable information, tax records, health information, and intellectual property.
This action builds on the governor’s previous initiative in December 2022, when he signed an executive order prohibiting the use of any applications developed by ByteDance Limited and Tencent Holdings Limited, including banning the TikTok and WeChat websites on state devices. These steps are part of Virginia’s ongoing efforts to protect the state’s data from foreign influence and potential exploitation.
Chairman @RepMoolenaar talks @deepseek_ai on @NewsNation:
“It’s… a Sputnik moment. — They steal Americans' data. They will store it in China. They will basically censor anything that… benefits the agenda of the CCP. So it's something where we need to win this competition.” pic.twitter.com/eKCCmG69jU
— Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (@committeeonccp) January 29, 2025
Security Vulnerabilities and Ethical Concerns
DeepSeek has raised red flags due to its connections with China and its apparent lack of robust security features. The app, developed by a research lab tied to a Chinese hedge fund, has raised questions about its potential use as a tool for surveillance and data harvesting. Security experts have flagged the app’s vulnerability to “jailbreaking” attacks, a process where users can bypass security measures designed to protect the system. As a result, the app’s ethical safeguards, such as blocking harmful or malicious content, may be easily circumvented.
An analysis from security experts further highlighted DeepSeek’s failure to block harmful prompts during tests. According to Cisco Systems, the app exhibited a 100% attack rate, meaning it was highly susceptible to exploitation. This vulnerability could allow malicious content to be generated through the app, raising concerns over its potential misuse.
Governor Youngkin’s executive order aligns with similar actions taken by other states, including New York. On Monday, New York’s Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul issued a ban on the DeepSeek app, citing its potential ties to the Chinese government’s surveillance and censorship programs. Hochul’s order also raised alarms about the app’s ability to harvest sensitive data, echoing the concerns that have led to growing resistance against the use of Chinese-developed apps across the United States.
Both states’ actions highlight a growing trend of government officials taking steps to limit the influence of foreign tech applications, particularly those believed to be linked to China, citing security and privacy risks. As concerns continue to mount, more states may consider similar measures to safeguard sensitive data and protect citizens from potential foreign influence.
The Conservative Column will update you on any further updates from the Youngkin administration.
