Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis issued a directive Thursday prohibiting the use of the Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek within the Florida Department of Financial Services, citing national security concerns and data privacy risks.

The directive, effective Feb. 19, bans DFS employees from downloading, installing, or using DeepSeek on department-issued devices and prohibits its use on any personal device connected to the department’s network. Employees found in violation may face disciplinary action under Florida administrative rules.

Patronis characterized artificial intelligence as the “new Space Race” and warned of the risks posed by foreign-controlled platforms collecting sensitive user data. DeepSeek, which is owned by Ningbo-based High-Flyer, has approximately six million active users globally. According to the directive, the platform gathers extensive user information, including personal identifiers, device details, and chat histories, raising concerns over potential exposure to Chinese intelligence agencies.

“I will not allow sensitive Department information to be compromised through a Chinese AI app that can harm Floridians,” Patronis said. “President Trump said DeepSeek was a wake-up call, and he’s absolutely right. AI can be a huge resource for good, but it can also be a weapon if it’s in the wrong hands. Americans must be protected, and American companies must out-compete China. My directive prohibits any use of DeepSeek at the Department of Financial Services as well as any access of it on a Department device.”

The directive cites China’s 2017 National Intelligence Law, which grants the country’s security agencies broad access to corporate data. It also notes that DeepSeek’s infrastructure has ties to China Mobile, a state-controlled telecommunications entity that the Federal Communications Commission has previously barred from operating in the United States.

DFS policies already restrict employees from using unauthorized software and mandate security measures to protect sensitive state records, including law enforcement data and financial transactions handled by the State Treasury.