News Desk
New York — The U.S. Department of Defense has blocked access to the Chinese artificial intelligence service DeepSeek, citing national security concerns after reports revealed that congressional employees had connected their work computers to Chinese servers while using the AI tool.
In a notice obtained by Axios, the Chief Administrative Officer of the U.S. House of Representatives stated that DeepSeek is under review and remains unauthorized for official use. The notice warned of cybersecurity risks, citing instances where “threat actors are already exploiting” the chatbot to spread malicious software and compromise devices.
In response, Congress swiftly implemented security measures, prohibiting the installation of DeepSeek on all House-issued phones, computers, and tablets. However, reports indicate that some staffers continued using the service for at least two days despite warnings.
According to Bloomberg, congressional personnel unknowingly downloaded earlier versions of DeepSeek’s code in late 2024, unaware that the software connected to Chinese servers. DeepSeek’s privacy policy states that user data is stored in China and subject to Chinese law, a key concern for U.S. officials.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Navy also banned DeepSeek, issuing an internal memo warning personnel not to use the AI “in any capacity” due to “potential security and ethical concerns.” A Navy spokesperson confirmed the ban, referencing the Department of the Navy’s generative AI policy.
The latest actions reflect growing U.S. apprehension over Chinese AI technology and its potential implications for national security.
