Microsoft has officially prohibited its employees from using the Chinese AI application DeepSeek, citing concerns over data security and potential exposure to propaganda. This decision was publicly announced by Microsoft President Brad Smith during a U.S. Senate hearing on May 8, 2025.
Why Microsoft Banned DeepSeek for Employees
According to Brad Smith, Microsoft has barred the use of DeepSeek across all employee devices, including desktops and mobile phones. The company has also chosen not to list the app in its Microsoft Store. The primary reasons for this ban are:
- Data Sovereignty Risks: DeepSeek stores user data on servers located in China. Under Chinese law, companies are required to cooperate with intelligence agencies, raising concerns about the potential for user data to be accessed by the Chinese government.
- Propaganda Concerns: There are apprehensions that DeepSeek’s AI-generated content could be influenced by Chinese state-sponsored narratives, leading to the dissemination of biased or censored information.
Microsoft’s Prior Engagement with DeepSeek
Despite these concerns, Microsoft had previously hosted DeepSeek’s open-source R1 model on its Azure cloud platform. However, this was done with strict safeguards in place. The model underwent rigorous evaluations to mitigate risks associated with propaganda and insecure code before being made available to enterprise clients. Business News Today
Broader Implications
Microsoft’s decision reflects a growing trend among global tech companies to prioritize data security and regulatory compliance, especially when dealing with AI applications from regions with differing legal and political frameworks. This move underscores the importance of data sovereignty and the need for organizations to assess the geopolitical implications of the technologies they adopt.
