Information Security awareness blog

DeepSeek-R1 model rivals over other advanced models, at a significantly lower cost and less computing power.

DeepSeek's chatbot app, based on the DeepSeek-R1 model, quickly became the most-downloaded free app on the iOS App Store in the United States, surpassing ChatGPT. The success of DeepSeek led to a notable drop in Nvidia's share price by 18%.

"DeepSeek's quick success and strong performance are shaking up the AI industry and starting a new phase of intense competition."

DeepSeek's compliance with Chinese government censorship policies and its data collection practices have raised privacy and information control concerns, which has led to regulatory scrutiny in multiple countries.

DeepSeek Not Allowed!

Countries and organizations are banning DeepSeek primarily due to privacy and security concerns. Here are some key reasons:

Data Privacy: There are fears that user data collected by DeepSeek could be accessed by the Chinese government, as Chinese laws mandate data sharing with intelligence agencies upon request.

Security Risks: DeepSeek has been accused of potential data leaks and vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors.

Regulatory Compliance: Investigations have revealed that DeepSeek may not comply with data protection regulations like the GDPR in the EU.

Countries that have banned DeepSeek:

1. Italy: The Italian Data Protection Authority (IDPA) banned DeepSeek to protect the data of Italian users.

2. Taiwan: Banned DeepSeek for government agencies and critical infrastructure due to national security concerns.

3. Ireland: The Irish Data Protection Commission has requested information from DeepSeek and is considering a ban.

4. Texas: The state has banned DeepSeek over security risks.

Organizations that have banned DeepSeek:

1. NASA: Banned DeepSeek on government-issued devices due to privacy concerns.

2. US Navy: Also banned DeepSeek on government-issued devices for similar reasons.

3. US Congress: Congressional offices have been warned not to use DeepSeek technology.

These actions reflect the growing apprehension about the potential risks associated with using DeepSeek's AI technology

What is the UK’s stand on this?

The UK hasn’t expressly said they will ban DeepSeek, but the app is said to have security concerns. In an interview with Bloomberg, AI Minister Feryal Clark said downloading DeepSeek was "a personal choice for people." She advised that people downloading the app should be "alert to the potential risks" and "know how their data will be used."

 What is the University’s Position?

As we follow the guidance of the NCSC and the UK government, we will also advise that anyone using DeepSeek should be cautious of the data they share. We will let you know our position as soon as we can

Source:

Why Are Governments Banning DeepSeek? Security Threats Explained

DeepSeek AI banned by NASA, US Navy, and more over privacy concerns | Tom's Guide

DeepSeek: China’s gamechanging AI system has big implications for UK tech development