Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday issued a ban on the use of Chinese-owned AI platforms DeepSeek and Manus on state devices and networks, joining at least ten other states in the U.S. with similar bans.

“Because of their affiliation with the Chinese government and their vast data collection capabilities, these platforms pose unacceptable risks to the State of Alabama and its citizens in terms of data privacy and cybersecurity,” reads a memo from Ivey’s office.

The ban also “contains a general framework” for banning similar software from “foreign countries of concern” like China (but not Taiwan), Iran, North Korea, and Russia, according to the memo.

The ban was motivated by findings published Tuesday in the final report of the Governor’s Task Force on Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), Ivey said.

Some topics addressed in the report included:

• Overview of Artificial Intelligence and How GenAI is Different
• Individual and Shared Risks of GenAI
• Defining Data Ownership, Classification, and Readiness
• Educating State Government Employees on How to Safely and Productively Use GenAI
• GenAI Procurement and Development Guidelines
• Executive-Branch GenAI Inventory Report
• Task Force Recommendations

“Here in Alabama, we’re booming with growth,” Ivey said in a previous release.

“From big businesses moving to Alabama, to rebuilding infrastructure and cutting-edge research, Alabama is staying on top of the game and will continue to be an industry leader, especially in the ethical use of artificial intelligence.”

“I am proud of the hard work that our state leaders put into exploring the constructive possibilities for GenAI in the executive branch,” she continued.

At least one state leader was already on board to ban DeepSeek.

On Mar. 7, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general urging Congressional leadership to pass the “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act,” which aimed to prohibit government devices from downloading and using the Chinese Communist Party’s DeepSeek artificial intelligence software.

“DeepSeek is a serious national security threat,” Marshall wrote.

“If China or other adversaries gain access to our personal data, they can weaponize it for malicious purposes.”

“Keeping China’s DeepSeek artificial intelligence off of government devices isn’t just smart—it’s common sense, “ he continued.

The U.S. Commerce Department, NASA, and Congress banned the use of DeepSeek on office devices earlier this year, and President Donald Trump is considering a ban in the White House, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal.

Outside of the U.S., Canada, Australia, South Korea, and Taiwan have also blocked DeepSeek on government devices, while Italy has blocked the program across the country.

Tennessee has been one of the few places to also block Manus on government devices in a decision passed down earlier this month.

“As artificial intelligence platforms emerge and this technology landscape evolves, there is growing concern regarding data protection and the threat of influence from foreign adversaries,” said Gov. Bill Lee.

“Tennessee has taken consistent action to mitigate risk from platforms with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, including TikTok, and banning Manus and DeepSeek on state devices will further reduce security risks to Tennesseans.”