The active development of artificial intelligence systems has raised concerns for information security, as large volumes of data may contain sensitive information. In response to these concerns, the US Department of Commerce has prohibited its employees from using DeepSeek on work devices, citing national security considerations.
Department of Commerce’s Restriction on DeepSeek
According to an internal memo referenced by Reuters, official devices belonging to employees of the US Department of Commerce are now barred from accessing resources and applications developed by DeepSeek. DeepSeek is a Chinese company known for creating large language models and a chatbot of the same name. Officials stated that this restriction is intended to safeguard the department’s information systems.
The recommendation given to employees is clear: “Do not download, view or use any mobile or desktop applications, as well as websites related to DeepSeek.” The department emphasizes the importance of preventing any potential data leakage that might compromise sensitive information.
Legislative Initiatives and State-Level Bans
Earlier this year, a group of American lawmakers introduced a legislative initiative aimed at banning the use of DeepSeek solutions on official devices used by US government officials. This initiative reflects growing concerns that DeepSeek users could unintentionally expose critical government data, including contracts and financial records, to unauthorized access.
In March, a letter encouraging the adoption of this ban was circulated among various US departments, reminds NIXsolutions. Furthermore, a coalition of attorneys general from 21 states has appealed to the US Congress, supporting the prohibition of DeepSeek use on government-issued devices. On a local level, similar bans are already enforced in states such as Virginia, Texas, and New York, along with several others.
Given the increasing focus on securing governmental information systems, we’ll keep you updated on any new measures or broader actions regarding the use of AI technologies like DeepSeek across the US.