Microsoft has officially banned its employees from using the Chinese artificial intelligence application DeepSeek, citing concerns over data security and the app’s potential use as a tool for Chinese state propaganda.
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The announcement came from Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith during a U.S. Senate hearing on the state of American AI capabilities. Smith emphasized that DeepSeek is not permitted for employee use and is also unavailable through Microsoft’s app store, due to fears that user data could be stored in China and that the app’s responses may be influenced by Chinese propaganda.
A Broader Governmental Trend
The move is part of a broader global push to restrict access to DeepSeek. The U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Navy have already banned the AI model, and a proposed bill titled the “DeepSeek on Government Devices Prohibition Act” is under review, aiming to expand the ban across more government agencies.
Congressional reports have labeled DeepSeek a significant national security threat, citing its extensive data collection capabilities — including chat history, device details, and even user writing styles. These reports claim the app funnels collected data back to China, creating severe vulnerabilities for users.
Data Storage and Surveillance Concerns
According to DeepSeek’s privacy policy, user data is stored on servers located in China, where local laws can compel companies to cooperate with security and intelligence services. Additionally, the application is known to censor sensitive topics in line with Chinese government regulations.
The app recently suffered a major data breach, exposing over a million user records, further heightening concerns about its data governance practices.
Microsoft’s Limited Engagement
While banning the app for internal use, Microsoft has allowed a modified open-source version of the DeepSeek R1 model to be hosted on its Azure platform. The version was reportedly subjected to strict security evaluations before deployment to ensure compliance with Microsoft’s data protection standards.
Geopolitical and Technological Implications
This development reflects growing anxiety among global corporations about the risks posed by AI tools developed in China, amid escalating geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China over technological dominance in the AI field.
Microsoft’s move underscores the complex challenge international companies face in balancing technological innovation with the imperative to safeguard user privacy and data security in a rapidly evolving AI landscape.
— (Agencies)
