US Navy Bans Chinese AI App DeepSeek Over National Security Concerns

The U.S. Navy has officially banned its personnel from using DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence chatbot, citing national security concerns. This relocation is in line with an escalating concern in the U.S. military about foreign-originated AI technologies and potential risks to confidential data.

Why the US Navy Banned DeepSeek

DeepSeek, released on January 15, 2025, more quickly became a phenomenon and has already surpassed 2 million downloads around the world. Still, security researchers pointed out concerns regarding the data collection of the app. There are reports that DeepSeek stores the data of users, such as keystroke, conversation log, and IP address, on servers in China. As per China’s cybersecurity laws, the Chinese government has the right to retrieve data in place within its jurisdication, sparking concerns about espionage and data leakage.

A U.S. Navy directive stressed that DeepSeek should not be “applied to any work-related activities, or for personal activities,” and strongly discouraged service members from “downloading, installing or interacting with the DeepSeek model in any way,” which clearly frames the Navy’s dedication to maintaining military intelligence and operational security.

Growing Concerns Over Chinese AI Technology

The ban on DeepSeek is not a standalone case, but part of a systematic U.S. campaign to limit the impact of Chinese IT, fueled by security concerns. The U.S. government previously imposed restrictions on Huawei and TikTok over similar concerns related to data privacy and foreign surveillance.

Experts warn that AI models like DeepSeek could be used to gather intelligence on U.S. military operations, government agencies, and even critical infrastructure. The restriction problem does not stop at the Navy, as restrictions in other branches of the military and intelligence organizations may also occur.

DeepSeek’s Impact on the Global AI Market

Developed with an investment of approximately $6 million, DeepSeek has been compared to leading AI models such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Chatbot’s explosive expansion has affected the U.S. tech sector as well, and it has been alleged that it led to substantial stock losses in big so-called AI-enabled companies.

Certain researchers point to DeepSeek’s triumph as evidence of China’s ascendence in the field of AI. Nevertheless, its relation with possible data security concerns may impede its use in Western countries.

Potential Future Bans and Tech Regulations

Assuming the Navy’s step, it can be confidently expected that other U.S. government agencies and private companies will also ban DeepSeek. The current administration has been busy regulating AI, in order to protect AI use from unethical and security risks in various applications.

Congress is also discussing policies with the impact of requiring any AI applications developed by foreign adversaries to go through a thorough review process prior to their use within the United States. This methodology is intended to mitigate the possible danger of unregulated AI models, which could potentially be a risk to national security.

Conclusion

The U.S. Navy’s decision to disable DeepSeek illustrates the growing conflict between technological innovation and national security. While AI innovations continue to shape the future, ensuring their safe and ethical use remains a priority, especially within sensitive sectors like the military. With the promotion of artificial intelligence rising to new levels due to intense global competition, strict regulatory and security requirements will become the new standard to prevent future cyber attacks.