US Likely To Ban Chinese App DeepSeek From Government Devices (msn.com) 14
The White House is weighing measures to restrict Chinese artificial-intelligence upstart DeepSeek, including banning its chatbot from government devices because of national-security concerns, WSJ reported Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. From the report: U.S. officials are worried about DeepSeek's handling of user data, which the Chinese company says it stores in servers located in China, the people said. Officials also believe DeepSeek hasn't sufficiently explained how it uses the data it collects and who has access to the data, they said.
The Trump administration is likely to adopt a rule that would bar people from downloading DeepSeek's chatbot app onto U.S. government devices, the people said. Officials are also considering two other possible moves: banning the DeepSeek app from U.S. app stores and putting limits on how U.S.-based cloud service providers could offer DeepSeek's AI models to their customers, people close to the matter said. They cautioned that discussions about these two moves were still at an early stage.
The Trump administration is likely to adopt a rule that would bar people from downloading DeepSeek's chatbot app onto U.S. government devices, the people said. Officials are also considering two other possible moves: banning the DeepSeek app from U.S. app stores and putting limits on how U.S.-based cloud service providers could offer DeepSeek's AI models to their customers, people close to the matter said. They cautioned that discussions about these two moves were still at an early stage.
Distinct from DeepSeek model... (Score:5, Informative)
This is a really good idea, as this applies to the DeepSeek app... that has been found to harvest as much as it can.
The DeepSeek model however (or general approaches) have already been integrated into a ton of other AI products now, so it's not like the government cannot leverage DeepSeek. Just not the app.
Re: (Score:2)
It's quite reasonable in any case. It would probably be beneficial to the US for the government to ban all foreign devices and software ON US GOVERNMENT OWNED EQUIPMENT., It would, of course, be expensive, but it would ensure the survival of local industries. And there are lots of reasons why that's worth more than a little bit.
OTOH, do it gradually, and with a planned transition. (Of course, this doesn't apply to Deep Seek, as it isn't yet well embedded.)
Does not matter (Score:5, Funny)
Whack-a-mole (Score:5, Insightful)
This is silly. If simply running an app on a government device poses some risk, users should only be permitted to install a defined list of allowed applications. Otherwise, who's to say that "Free Notes App #27" isn't also harvesting data for nefarious purposes?
Re: (Score:2)
Exactly. It figures DC can't work out how to implement an MDM solution.
OPM, Solarwinds, telco hacking - all preventable.
They also have corrupt bureaucrats deleting backups, as if it's not obvious that National Archives ought to be a central backup authority with retention requirements.
The incentives to lie, cheat, and steal are very strong.
People claim Trump will "drain the swamp" while not reconciling the fact that six weeks in there have been zero arrests.
"Ooh, early retirement with full pension - I'm so
Re: (Score:2)
Problem is MDM doesn't really work all that well for anyone, even in private industry. Usually it's so tight users can't get their work done. And even then malware occasionally breaks in (users are really persistent at trying to get malware running).
Re: (Score:2)
Exactly. If the device can be a vector for attack, there should be whitelists, not blacklists.
Let's create a drama.... (Score:1)
should there not be standard operating environments and NO OTHER SOFTWARE be allowed on Government PC's?
this looks like creating drama for headlines, than anything useful...
Going about this in a backwards way (Score:2)
Special requests would go through a vetting process.
The app is irrelevant (Score:2)
The important thing is that Deepseek publishes their work open source. Their work is being used by researchers all over the world.
Monopolists and governments want to own and control the tech. If any one entity owns it, it will be bad.
The only way to guarantee a good outcome is to make it available to all.
I support open source and sharing of research
Come on Trump, chop chop! (Score:2)
Well thought out... (Score:2)
Non Issue (Score:2)
The US Government can rightfully control what is done on/with US Government equipment.
This is a non-issue.