Arkansas has moved to block access to several Chinese-linked platforms on devices used by state executive branches.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed Thursday that the state has prohibited the use of the platforms DeepSeek, RedNote, and Lemon8 on state-issued devices. DeepSeek is an AI application similar to ChatGPT, while RedNote and Lemon8 are social media platforms for sharing content. RedNote gained attention earlier this year after the ban of TikTok.
The state’s chief information officer, Gary Vance, explained that the decision stems from concerns over data privacy and cybersecurity risks. Vance noted that these apps, developed by Chinese companies, could potentially expose sensitive information and critical infrastructure to unauthorized access.
In February, Sanders introduced the Communist China Defense Legislative Package, which seeks to prevent Chinese businesses from operating in the state.
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