US Pentagon blocks DeepSeek AI after employees found connecting to Chinese servers
The Pentagon has recently taken significant action against DeepSeek, a Chinese AI chatbot, after it was discovered that Department of Defense employees had connected their work computers to Chinese servers to access the tool. This connection occurred for at least two days before the Pentagon implemented a block on access to the chatbot, raising serious national security concerns.
Connection to Chinese Servers: Employees at the Pentagon reportedly used DeepSeek’s AI chatbot for several days, unknowingly linking their devices to servers based in China. This raised alarms due to the implications of data privacy under Chinese law, which mandates cooperation with government intelligence efforts.
Immediate Response: The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), responsible for the Pentagon’s IT networks, moved to block access to DeepSeek late on January 30, 2025. However, reports indicated that some employees still managed to access the service even after the initial block was enacted.
Navy’s Proactive Measures: Prior to the Pentagon’s broader action, the U.S. Navy had already prohibited its personnel from using DeepSeek due to ethical and security concerns. This decision reflects a growing unease about foreign AI services handling sensitive data.
Wider Industry Impact: The security concerns surrounding DeepSeek have led numerous companies and government agencies globally to restrict access to the chatbot. Cybersecurity firms reported that a significant percentage of their clients are moving to block DeepSeek due to fears of potential data leaks and inadequate privacy protections.
DeepSeek’s privacy policy explicitly states that it collects and stores user data on servers located in China, which can be accessed by Chinese authorities. This has prompted fears about data leakage and misuse of sensitive information from U.S. government employees. Additionally, cybersecurity researchers have uncovered vulnerabilities within DeepSeek’s infrastructure, including publicly accessible databases containing internal data.
The situation surrounding DeepSeek highlights a critical intersection of technology and national security. As AI tools continue to gain popularity, particularly those developed by foreign entities, U.S. agencies are increasingly scrutinizing their use within government operations. The Pentagon’s response serves as a cautionary tale about the risks associated with adopting advanced technologies without thorough vetting regarding their origins and data handling practices.
