Why The US Navy Has Banned The Use Of DeepSeek AI

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing industries across the globe, and one of the most talked-about AI technologies right now is DeepSeek A.I. Developed by a Chinese startup, this chatbot gained immense popularity, quickly becoming one of the most downloaded apps, even surpassing OpenAI's ChatGPT. Despite its advanced features and widespread acclaim, the U.S. Navy has taken a strong stance against its use, instructing all service members to refrain from downloading or using the app.

On January 24, 2025, the Navy sent out an email to its personnel expressing serious concerns regarding the potential security threats and ethical implications associated with DeepSeek A.I.'s origins and usage. This notice highlights the Navy's commitment to protecting sensitive information and maintaining operational security.

Security Concerns About DeepSeek AI

DeepSeek A.I. operates on an open-source framework, which poses significant challenges for the Navy. Their policies strictly discourage the use of open-source applications from unknown or adversarial sources, particularly those linked to China. While the U.S. military leverages various advanced AI technologies, there is a clear directive that discourages commercial AI language models from being used in any operational capacity until a thorough investigation of their security requirements has been completed.

The U.S. government has taken a tough stance against Chinese technology, viewing it as a significant cybersecurity threat. This concern is not unfounded; a troubling piece of hidden code was discovered within DeepSeek that reportedly sends login information to China Mobile, a telecommunications company banned by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission since 2019. Such revelations have prompted the Navy not just to prohibit the app among its staff, but also to make recommendations to other government agencies regarding potential security risks.

International Reactions to DeepSeek AI

The Navy's decision was echoed by NASA, which also barred its employees from using DeepSeek. Several other countries have joined the U.S. in warning against the use of this AI application. South Korea, for example, has initiated investigations into how DeepSeek manages data and has enacted a general ban on AI programs, including well-known platforms like ChatGPT.

Countries such as Australia, Italy, and Taiwan have all taken action to limit or prohibit DeepSeek's use among their federal employees. This global response underscores how governments around the world are taking precautions against applications that originate from potentially hostile nations and collect vast amounts of personal information.

Privacy and Data Collection Issues

DeepSeek's privacy policy raises alarms as it collects not only basic personal information such as birthdays and phone numbers but also sensitive data like users' IP addresses, operating systems, and keystroke patterns. An IP address can allow outside entities to track online activities, restrict website access, or even execute disruptive DDoS attacks.

Given these various security and ethical concerns, the U.S. Navy's ban on DeepSeek A.I. comes as a proactive measure to protect both its personnel and national security, reflecting a broader trend of caution among nations faced with similar AI technologies originating from adversarial sources.

AI, Security, DeepSeek