U.S. Navy Bans Chinese AI Chatbot DeepSeek Over Security Concerns
The United States Navy has officially prohibited its members from using DeepSeek, a Chinese-developed artificial intelligence chatbot, due to fears that the Chinese government could exploit sensitive data. In an internal email, the Navy warned against using DeepSeek “in any capacity” citing potential security and ethical risks linked to its origin. Despite these concerns, the app has surged in popularity, surpassing 2 million downloads since its launch on January 15, with most occurring in the past three days.
Experts warn that DeepSeek’s data storage practices, including tracking keystrokes and IP addresses, could pose a national security threat. Angela Zhang, a law professor at the University of Southern California, compared the situation to TikTok, emphasizing the risks of a Chinese-based company handling such sensitive user information. The app’s rapid development—reportedly completed in months for just $6 million—has raised eyebrows, particularly as China boasts an AI breakthrough at a fraction of the cost of OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
DeepSeek’s debut coincided with President Trump’s announcement of the $500 billion “Stargate” AI initiative. The news sent shockwaves through U.S. financial markets, wiping $1 trillion in value from major tech stocks. While some, like billionaire investor Marc Andreessen, likened DeepSeek’s impact to Sputnik, Trump downplayed concerns, acknowledging China’s advancements but maintaining confidence in U.S. AI leadership.
