US Congress Bans Use of Chinese AI App DeepSeek in Offices

The US Congress has issued a directive banning the use of the Chinese AI app "DeepSeek" in its offices, following concerns over security risks.

The app, which has generated significant buzz in the US market, is currently under review by the US House of Representatives.

Axios reported that a notice was sent out to congressional offices on Thursday, alerting staff that DeepSeek is not authorized for official use.

The memo, issued by the House's chief administrative officer, stated, " "At this time, DeepSeek is under review by the CAO and is currently unauthorized for official House use.”

The notice further warned that threat actors are already exploiting DeepSeek to deliver harmful programs and compromise devices. To mitigate these risks, the House has implemented security measures to restrict DeepSeek on all House-issued devices.

The memo explicitly prohibited employees from installing DeepSeek on any official smartphones, computers, or tablets.

The Chinese AI app's rapid rise threatens to compete with major US AI companies like OpenAI and Google, raising alarms about potential security and privacy issues.

This move highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Congress as it navigates the rapid advancements in AI technology.

It is not the first instance of Congress limiting the use of AI products. In 2023, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) placed restrictions on the use of OpenAI's ChatGPT, allowing the paid version of the chatbot only for specific tasks.

Additionally, in April 2023, the GAO informed staff that Microsoft’s Copilot AI tool was not permitted for use, despite Microsoft’s efforts to develop a government-compliant suite of AI tools.