Texas: DeepSeek on state devices: obligations and deadlines

Texas ban on Chinese AI apps, including DeepSeek, on state devices

In forceTexas: DeepSeek on state devices

Summary

The Texas Governor ordered state agencies to ban Chinese government-based AI and social media apps, including DeepSeek, from all state-issued devices and to add them to the state's prohibited technologies list. It binds agencies, not private businesses; it relates to vendors that work on Texas agency systems or devices.

Who it applies to

Texas state agencies and their devices; as a reference, vendors that work for those agencies.

Penalties

The rule has no penalty regime of its own, or it does not apply.

Official name: Governor Abbott Announces Ban On Chinese AI, Social Media Apps (directive to state agencies, January 31, 2025)
Official reference: Directiva del Gobernador de Texas a las agencias estatales, anunciada el 31 de enero de 2025; añade DeepSeek a la lista estatal de tecnologías prohibidas
Regulator: Office of the Texas Governor; state agencies
Official source: Check the sourceHow we verify sources

Key dates

January 31, 2025Ban announced

Obligations and dates

Obligations table
Obligation	Article or citation	Status	Date	Who it applies to	Verification
Do not use DeepSeek on Texas state devices	Directiva del Gobernador de Texas, 31-ene-2025 (lista estatal de tecnologías prohibidas)	In force	January 31, 2025	Relates to Texas state agencies and to vendors that work on their systems or devices.	Verified in the official source on November 4, 2026

Do not use DeepSeek on Texas state devices

Directiva del Gobernador de Texas, 31-ene-2025 (lista estatal de tecnologías prohibidas)In force

Applies from January 31, 2025

When it relates: Relates to Texas state agencies and to vendors that work on their systems or devices.
What the rule provides: On devices issued by Texas agencies: do not install or use DeepSeek or the other listed apps.
Check the state's prohibited technologies list before proposing AI tools to a Texas agency.
Typical evidence: List of AI tools approved for projects with Texas agencies
Supporting documents: AI Tool Adoption Policy
AI System Inventory
AI Vendor Due Diligence Checklist
Third-Party and Open-Weight Model Provenance Sheet
Unauthorized AI Discovery and Regularization Program
Verification: Verified in the official source on November 4, 2026Checked on gov.texas.gov (Jan 31, 2025 release): "ban Chinese government-based AI and social media apps from all state-issued devices", with DeepSeek on the list. Scope for contractors and for personal devices used for state work was not checked.