Australia’s science minister, Ed Husic, has become the first Western government official to openly question DeepSeek’s privacy policies, urging caution over its potential risks. Similar concerns have been raised by U.S. officials, including the White House and the U.S. Navy, which has reportedly banned the use of DeepSeek by its personnel. While DeepSeek has yet to respond to these criticisms, its data collection practices and affiliations with Chinese entities have fueled concerns that it could be used for surveillance or data harvesting.

As debates continue, many users remain unaware of the possible implications of using DeepSeek. This article explores the concerns raised by government officials, the app’s data collection practices, and whether it is safe for public use.

Australia warns users to be cautious about DeepSeek’s data privacy

On Tuesday, Australia’s science minister, Ed Husic, told ABC News that there were still many “unanswered questions” about how DeepSeek manages data and privacy. He warned users to be “very careful” and emphasized that such risks must be taken seriously.

Husic’s statement comes amid ongoing global scrutiny of Chinese technology companies, with firms like Huawei and TikTok previously facing similar allegations. Many Western nations worry that Chinese tech companies could be linked to the Chinese government and that user data may be exploited for intelligence gathering.

While Husic has not called for any immediate bans or restrictions, his statement marks the first time a Western government official has publicly expressed concerns about DeepSeek’s data policies.

US government and navy raise security concerns over DeepSeek

In the United States, concerns about DeepSeek have also reached high levels of government. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the National Security Council was investigating the potential risks associated with the chatbot.

Additionally, according to a report from CNBC, the U.S. Navy has reportedly prohibited its personnel from using DeepSeek due to “potential security and ethical concerns.” The Navy has not officially commented on the ban, but the move highlights growing fears that DeepSeek could pose risks to national security.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump also weighed in on the matter, calling DeepSeek a “wake-up call” for the United States. However, rather than framing it as a direct security threat, Trump suggested that competition from DeepSeek might push American companies to innovate and lower costs.

Despite the scrutiny, DeepSeek has continued to gain popularity in the U.S., with millions of downloads reported in recent weeks.

What data does DeepSeek collect?

According to its privacy policy, DeepSeek collects a significant amount of user data, including:

• Personal information: Email address, phone number, and date of birth.
• User inputs: All text and audio interactions, including chat histories.
• Device information: Phone model, operating system, IP address, and even “keystroke patterns.”

DeepSeek claims that this data is stored securely in China and is used to improve the chatbot’s performance, security, and stability. Additionally, the privacy policy states that DeepSeek may share user data with:

• Service providers (such as cloud storage providers).
• Advertising partners (for targeted marketing).
• Its corporate group (including affiliated companies).

The policy also states that DeepSeek will keep this data “for as long as necessary,” though it does not specify an exact timeframe.

Cybersecurity experts have raised alarms over a particular clause in the privacy policy, which states that data may be used “to help match you and your actions outside of the service.” Lauren Hendry Parsons, a digital privacy advocate from ExpressVPN, warned that this clause “should immediately ring alarm bells for anyone concerned with their privacy.”

How does DeepSeek compare to other AI models?

While DeepSeek’s data collection practices have sparked controversy, some experts argue that they are not fundamentally different from those of other AI models, including:

• ChatGPT (developed by OpenAI).
• Gemini (developed by Google DeepMind).
• Claude (developed by Anthropic).

Many of these AI services also collect personal data to improve performance and provide more accurate responses. However, concerns surrounding DeepSeek stem from its Chinese ownership and the lack of clear data protection regulations governing its operations.

Emily Taylor, CEO of Oxford Information Labs, pointed out that any AI model with a web or app interface collects user prompts and responses. “Anyone working on confidential or national security areas needs to be aware of those risks,” she said.

Similarly, Dr. Richard Whittle from the University of Salford noted that while he has concerns about DeepSeek, he also has “plenty of concerns” about U.S.-based AI models. He advised consumers to be cautious, especially when dealing with a new and highly popular AI service.

Regulatory response and public awareness

As concerns grow, regulatory bodies have started addressing the potential risks associated with AI-powered chatbots.

The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has urged users to be aware of their rights regarding how their personal data is used to train AI models. In a statement to BBC News, the ICO emphasized that AI developers must:

• Provide clear and transparent information about how user data is collected.
• Implement effective processes to allow users to exercise their data protection rights.
• Ensure that users have control over how their information is used.

The ICO also warned that it would take regulatory action against companies that fail to comply with these expectations.

Meanwhile, Australian officials continue to monitor DeepSeek’s operations, and it remains to be seen whether further restrictions or regulatory measures will be introduced.