Texas Governor Bans Chinese Apps on State Devices Citing Security Concerns

On January 31, 2025, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order banning the use of several Chinese-owned applications on state government-issued devices. The prohibited applications include DeepSeek, an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by a Chinese startup, and RedNote (also known as Xiaohongshu), a Chinese-owned social media app. Additionally, the ban encompasses other Chinese-affiliated apps such as Lemon8, Webull, Tiger Brokers, and Moomoo.

Governor Abbott emphasized the state's commitment to protecting its critical infrastructure from potential foreign threats. He stated, "Texas will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate our state's critical infrastructure through data-harvesting AI and social media apps." He further directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Department of Information Resources to add these technologies to the state's prohibited technologies list, which restricts state employees and contractors from downloading and using these apps on state-owned or personal devices used for work.

This action is part of a broader trend of U.S. states and federal agencies implementing restrictions on Chinese-developed applications due to national security concerns. In 2022, Governor Abbott had previously ordered all Texas state agencies to ban the use of TikTok on government-issued devices to protect against potential threats from the Chinese Communist Party accessing critical U.S. information and infrastructure. Additionally, in November 2024, he issued an executive order directing all state agencies and public institutions of higher education to harden state systems and safeguard critical infrastructure from being accessed by hostile foreign nations.

The ban reflects growing concerns over data security and foreign influence in technological infrastructure. By prohibiting these applications, Texas aims to mitigate potential risks associated with data harvesting and espionage. This move may influence other states to adopt similar measures, potentially leading to a broader national discourse on the balance between technological innovation, data privacy, and national security.

The ban prohibits state employees and contractors from downloading or using the specified applications on both state-owned and personal devices used for work purposes.

The ban in Texas is part of a broader trend, with other states and federal agencies considering or implementing similar restrictions on Chinese-developed applications due to national security concerns.