U.S. Navy Prohibits Use of DeepSeek AI Citing Security and Ethical Concerns
On January 28, 2025, the U.S. Navy issued a directive prohibiting its personnel from using the DeepSeek AI Assistant, developed by the Chinese company DeepSeek, due to potential security and ethical concerns. An internal email emphasized that the AI tool should not be utilized “in any capacity,” highlighting risks associated with its origin and application.
The Navy’s decision aligns with a September 2023 memorandum from the Department of the Navy’s Chief Information Officer, which cautioned against the use of generative AI in operational settings unless security requirements have been thoroughly assessed and approved. The memo warned that AI learning models retain all prompts, posing unique security risks that could inadvertently disclose sensitive or classified information.
DeepSeek’s AI Assistant, released on January 10, 2025, rapidly gained popularity, surpassing OpenAI’s ChatGPT to become the top free app on both Google Play and the Apple App Store, with over 5 million downloads. The model’s development reportedly cost approximately $5.6 million, significantly less than the investments made by its competitors.
The swift rise of DeepSeek’s AI has raised concerns within the U.S. government and tech industry, particularly regarding data security and the potential for unauthorized access to sensitive information. The Navy’s ban reflects broader apprehensions about the use of foreign-developed AI technologies within critical national security infrastructures.
