US Commerce Department Bans DeepSeek AI on Government Devices Amid Security Concerns

The U.S. Department of Commerce has recently informed its staff that the Chinese AI model DeepSeek is banned from government-issued devices due to security concerns. An internal message seen by Reuters instructed employees not to download or access any applications, desktop apps, or websites related to DeepSeek. The directive is part of the department’s efforts to safeguard information systems and prevent potential security threats posed by the Chinese-made AI technology.

DeepSeek, a low-cost AI model from China, had a significant impact on global equity markets in January, as investors grew concerned about its potential to undermine the United States’ competitive edge in artificial intelligence. The AI model’s affordable pricing and capabilities have raised alarms among U.S. officials, who fear it could compromise data privacy and sensitive government information.

The U.S. government’s concerns have been echoed by members of Congress, including Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Darin LaHood, who introduced legislation to ban DeepSeek on government devices. In February, the lawmakers also sent letters to U.S. governors, urging them to implement similar bans on the AI model within their states. They expressed concerns that using DeepSeek could result in the unintended sharing of sensitive information with the Chinese government.

Lawmakers have stressed that DeepSeek’s use could expose valuable data, such as contracts, documents, and financial records, to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). They argue that in the wrong hands, such data would be an invaluable asset to the CCP, a foreign adversary of the United States, posing a significant national security threat. The full extent of the ban across U.S. government agencies remains unclear.

Source: reuters