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AFRICA, ASIA, BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, CHINA, CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY, COMMERCE DEPARTMENT, CONGRESS, CYBERSECURITY, DAR, DARIN LAHOOD, HOUSE PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE, JOSH GOTTHEIMER, MEXICO, NATIONAL SECURITY, NEW YORK, NORTH AMERICA, REGULATION, REUTERS, SOUTH AFRICA, TEXAS, U. S, U. S. COMMERCE DEPARTMENT, UNITED STATES, VIRGINIA
Clara Montgomery
U.S. Commerce Department Prohibits DeepSeek AI Model on Government Devices
The U.S. Commerce Department has banned the Chinese AI model DeepSeek on government devices due to concerns about data security and privacy. Congress members are advocating for similar bans across all governmental entities. States like Virginia, Texas, and New York have also prohibited DeepSeek, emphasizing the national security risks involved with its usage.
Recent communications from the U.S. Commerce Department have indicated that the Chinese artificial intelligence model DeepSeek is prohibited on government devices. An email has circulated among staff stating, “To help keep Department of Commerce information systems safe, access to the new Chinese-based AI DeepSeek is broadly prohibited on all GFE.” Employees are instructed not to download or access any applications related to DeepSeek.
The full scope of the ban across U.S. government entities remains indeterminate, as the Commerce Department has not provided immediate comment. Concerns regarding DeepSeek have intensified, particularly since its low-cost AI models led to significant sell-offs in the global equity markets in January, raising alarms over America’s leadership in AI technology.
U.S. officials, including Congressmen Josh Gottheimer and Darin LaHood, have voiced worries about the implications of DeepSeek on data privacy and the security of sensitive information. They proposed legislation in February to formalize the prohibition of DeepSeek on government devices and have since urged U.S. governors to enact similar bans. In a March 3 letter, they stated, “By using DeepSeek, users are unknowingly sharing highly sensitive, proprietary information with the CCP — such as contracts, documents, and financial records.”
Various states, including Virginia, Texas, and New York, have implemented bans on DeepSeek for government devices. Additionally, a coalition of 21 state attorneys general has called for Congress to advance legislation aimed at restricting the use of this Chinese AI model in governmental contexts.
The U.S. Commerce Department’s ban on the Chinese AI model DeepSeek underscores the growing concerns regarding national security and data privacy. By limiting access to DeepSeek on government devices, officials aim to protect sensitive information from potential risks associated with the model. Furthermore, ongoing legislative efforts signify a broader commitment among state leaders to address these security challenges.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
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