Are Rednote, Lemon8 Banned in Texas? Greg Abbott Executive Order Explained [Video]

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued an executive order prohibiting the use of certain Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) and social media applications on state-issued devices, citing national security concerns. The ban is part of an ongoing effort to protect Texas’ government infrastructure from potential foreign surveillance and data collection threats.

Why It Matters

The executive order is designed to shield Texas government data from foreign adversaries that may exploit AI and social media applications for surveillance purposes. Abbott’s order aligns with previous actions taken by multiple states and the federal government, which have increasingly cracked down on applications developed by Chinese companies due to security concerns.

The governor’s directive emphasizes that certain applications pose a “grave risk to the security of Texas’ sensitive information and infrastructure.” The move is seen as a preemptive measure to mitigate potential cyber threats and prevent unauthorized access to critical government data.