Microsoft bans DeepSeek in offices due to data breach fears

Tech giant Microsoft has officially prohibited its employees from using the Chinese artificial intelligence application DeepSeek, citing significant concerns related to “‘data security and propaganda.’”

This decision was announced by Microsoft Vice Chairman Brad Smith during testimony before the US Senate.

Why Microsoft Blocked DeepSeek

Speaking before the U.S. Senate, Microsoft Vice Chairman Brad Smith revealed that the company’s internal review flagged serious risks related to “data security and propaganda.”

He emphasized that DeepSeek stores user information on Chinese servers, making it subject to Chinese intelligence laws. It is a red flag for any company focused on safeguarding data sovereignty.

Smith clarified that Microsoft had once hosted DeepSeek’s open-source R1 model on its Azure platform, but only after it conducted “rigorous red teaming”, a process designed to neutralize potentially harmful content.

App Store Ban Reinforces Microsoft’s Strategic Shift

Beyond banning employee use, Microsoft has decided not to list DeepSeek in its app store, signaling a broader realignment in how it handles partnerships with foreign AI platforms. This aligns with its ongoing recalibration of infrastructure priorities in response to both market demand and regulatory pressures.