U.S. Military Bans Use of Chinese AI Application DeepSeek

The United States military has officially prohibited its service members from utilizing the Chinese-developed artificial intelligence application, DeepSeek, due to significant security and ethical concerns. This directive comes amid escalating apprehensions regarding data privacy and potential misuse by foreign entities. 

DeepSeek, an AI chatbot developed by a Chinese company, has rapidly gained popularity, amassing over 2 million downloads since its launch on January 15, 2025. However, experts have raised alarms over the application's data collection practices, noting that user data, including IP addresses and keystroke patterns, is stored on servers located within China. This storage method subjects the data to Chinese cybersecurity laws, which mandate that companies share information with the government upon request. 

The U.S. Navy, in particular, has issued a directive to its personnel, advising against the use of DeepSeek "in any capacity" due to "potential security and ethical concerns associated with the model's origin and usage." This move reflects broader concerns within the U.S. government about the potential for foreign-developed applications to compromise national security. 

The situation with DeepSeek mirrors previous national security debates surrounding Chinese-owned applications, most notably TikTok. In both instances, the primary concern centers on the potential for user data to be accessed by the Chinese government, thereby posing risks to U.S. national security. 

In response to these developments, the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party has called for stronger export controls on technologies underpinning DeepSeek's AI infrastructure. This includes potential restrictions on the export of artificial intelligence chips made by U.S. companies that may have been utilized by DeepSeek. 

As the U.S. continues to evaluate the implications of foreign-developed AI applications, the prohibition of DeepSeek within the military underscores the importance of safeguarding national security in the face of rapidly advancing technology.

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