Five Essentials to Know Before Using DeepSeek

DeepSeek is an AI application that has garnered attention since its free release in January 2025. Here are five essential points to consider before using it.

1. What is DeepSeek Designed For?

DeepSeek-R1 is focused on real-time problem solving. This AI tool is engineered to quickly analyze large and complex data sets, allowing users to extract critical insights efficiently. Unlike traditional search engines, DeepSeek goes beyond mere keyword matching, as it emphasizes meaning and context to provide relevant information tailored to users' needs.

2. Is Your Personal Data Safe?

A close look at DeepSeek's privacy policy raises significant concerns. The application collaborates with partners, including advertisers, sharing information regarding users' actions outside the AI app. This encompasses user behaviors on other websites, as well as data about products or services purchased online.

Additionally, DeepSeek collects “keystroke patterns and rhythms”, tracking the exact keys pressed, the timing, and duration. This information may not be deleted, potentially posing risks to user privacy.

The platform states it retains personal data “for as long as necessary,” but lacks clarity on how such data is safeguarded against unauthorized access or whether it is encrypted.

3. Should You Be Concerned About Information Bias?

DeepSeek operates under Chinese regulations, which can lead to the censorship of politically sensitive topics. This governmental oversight may impact the objectivity and accuracy of the information provided by the application. Users should be aware of this potential bias while using the tool.

4. Does DeepSeek Pose a Safety Risk?

Research has shown that the safety measures implemented by DeepSeek can often be bypassed, sometimes allowing harmful content to surface, including hate speech, threats, and encouraging self-harm. Alarmingly, up to 83% of bias tests performed by researchers yielded discriminatory outputs from the app. This indicates a substantial vulnerability to manipulation, raising serious safety concerns.

5. Has the AI App Been Banned Anywhere?

The list of countries banning DeepSeek is growing, primarily due to escalating data privacy concerns. Notably, Italy was among the first to impose a full ban on the app.

Countries currently with restrictions on DeepSeek include:

• Italy – Full ban on DeepSeek usage

• Taiwan – Government agencies prohibited from using DeepSeek

• USA – Usage banned in the Pentagon, Congress, U.S. Navy, NASA, and Texas

• Australia – Prohibition on all government devices

As Christoph C. Cemper, a founder of AIPRM, notes, while other AI tools also collect user data, DeepSeek's privacy policies have raised numerous red flags. This is a major factor behind the increasing bans worldwide, with the U.S. even discussing potential laws that could penalize individuals using DeepSeek.

Given this information, it’s advisable to approach this app with caution. If you choose to use it, ensure you conduct thorough research and understand its privacy policy.

DeepSeek, Privacy, Safety