What’s the Deal with DeepSeek and Why Texas is Taking Action

Recently on The James Show, our CEO and tech expert Ted Clouser, sat down for an eye-opening chat about something raising eyebrows in the tech world: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s investigation into DeepSeek, a Chinese AI firm. With decades of experience in technology, including 15 years focused on cybersecurity, Ted brings serious credibility to the table regarding this sort of thing. And let’s just say, his insights are well worth tuning into.

So, why is this investigation happening in Texas and not Washington, D.C.? Turns out, Texas isn’t waiting around for the federal government to make moves. Governor Abbott set the tone weeks ago by banning certain apps on government devices, and now the Attorney General is stepping up to say, “We’ve got this.” It’s part of Texas leading the charge to address cybersecurity concerns head-on.

Ted explained that DeepSeek’s rapid development has folks worried—it might’ve piggybacked off the hard work of American AI companies. More importantly, DeepSeek is backed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). That raises a lot of questions, like, “Why would we let DeepSeek into our ecosystem when we already have proven, reliable tools?” Ted didn’t mince words: there’s no upside to rolling out the welcome mat for a risky, untested product like DeepSeek.

Of course, Ted wasn’t shy about his recommendations. His advice? Stick with AI platforms you know and trust—options like Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT. “We are the data,” Ted reminded listeners. “If it’s free, you’re the product.” It’s a powerful reminder to be cautious with what you download and where your data might end up—especially when considering platforms like DeepSeek.

The conversation got even broader when Ted and the host compared this issue to China buying up farmland in Texas. If you wouldn’t want foreign governments owning your land, why would you invite their tech—like DeepSeek—into your phone? It’s a fair point that hits close to home.
For those wondering what you can do to stay safe, Ted’s advice was clear: Don’t download apps like DeepSeek, no matter how curious you are. And if you want reliable AI tools, look to platforms that have already earned your trust. Ted is a fan of long-time players like Microsoft, which has proven itself time and again over the decades.