U.S. Agencies and Italy Ban DeepSeek Over Security Risks

The United States Department of the Navy, NASA, and regulators in Italy have blocked the AI tool DeepSeek due to national security and data privacy concerns. These agencies cited a privacy policy that allows data transfers to Chinese servers and a lack of safety controls that could be exploited by cybercriminals.

These actions come amid a rise in shadow AI, where employees utilize unsanctioned generative AI tools, leading to critical security failures. Experts argue that outright bans are often ineffective because AI is deeply embedded in modern software and employees frequently bypass restrictions.

To mitigate these risks, Chief Information Security Officers are moving toward comprehensive SaaS AI governance. This strategy emphasizes the use of usage inventories, defined acceptable-use policies, continuous data access monitoring, and expanded employee education.