Conway, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has taken significant action to protect Arkansas’ state government from potential foreign interference, announcing the block of three Chinese-based platforms – DeepSeek, RedNote, and Lemon8 – on all executive branch devices. This move aims to safeguard sensitive information from any unauthorized access or espionage, particularly from the Chinese Communist Party.
“My administration is taking the appropriate steps to ensure Arkansans are protected from the Chinese Communist Party,” said Governor Sanders in a statement. She emphasized that China’s growing influence in global tech platforms poses a direct threat to national security and that Arkansas will not tolerate any attempts to access critical information. This decision marks a proactive step in Arkansas’ ongoing efforts to curb foreign influence on state infrastructure.
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The action was backed by the Arkansas State cyber office, which swiftly initiated network blocks across executive branch systems to restrict access to the mentioned social media platforms. These applications, developed by Chinese companies, have raised significant concerns about data privacy. The risk of unauthorized access to critical infrastructure and sensitive information prompted state officials to take immediate action.
Chief Information Officer Gary Vance elaborated on the decision, saying, “The primary objective in blocking access to these applications is to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive information from potential espionage or unauthorized data access by foreign entities, particularly the Chinese Communist Party.” The concern stems from the possibility that these platforms could be used for data mining, putting Arkansas’ governmental and security data at risk.
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Governor Sanders has previously demonstrated a strong stance on countering Chinese influence. Earlier this year, she unveiled the China Legislative Defense Package, which expands prohibitions on Chinese Communist Party-linked companies owning property near critical infrastructure in Arkansas. This package also prevents state agencies from using public funds to purchase promotional materials made in China, signaling her ongoing commitment to minimizing China’s footprint in Arkansas.
Notably, during her first year in office, Governor Sanders became the first U.S. governor to remove Communist China from owning farmland within the state. This action was part of broader efforts to keep foreign adversaries from exerting control over strategic areas, ensuring that Arkansas remains free from undue external influence.
As the state continues to tighten its security protocols, the decision to block platforms like DeepSeek, RedNote, and Lemon8 is seen as a crucial move in the fight to preserve the privacy and integrity of Arkansas’ governmental operations. Governor Sanders’ administration remains vigilant, focused on maintaining the security of Arkansans and preventing any foreign entity from gaining unauthorized access to critical state data.
