Microsoft bans DeepSeek over serious concerns tied to data privacy and Chinese influence. During a U.S. Senate hearing, Microsoft President Brad Smith confirmed that employees are not allowed to use the DeepSeek app on any device—desktop or mobile.
He explained the decision was driven by fears that DeepSeek stores user data on Chinese servers. That data, he said, is subject to Chinese law, which requires companies to cooperate with the government. This raises alarm for Microsoft, which considers such storage a potential security risk.
Microsoft also believes DeepSeek’s responses could be shaped by Chinese state propaganda. The app censors politically sensitive topics and may present biased answers. These concerns led Microsoft to exclude DeepSeek from its Windows app store.
Although other countries and companies have quietly restricted DeepSeek, this marks the first time Microsoft has publicly confirmed such a ban. The move signals a stronger stance against AI tools with unclear data practices and government ties.
Interestingly, Microsoft did allow DeepSeek’s R1 model to be hosted on Azure earlier this year. That decision raised questions, but Smith clarified the difference. DeepSeek is open source, so developers can run the model locally, without sending data back to China. Hosting a model, he said, is not the same as endorsing the full app.
Still, risks remain. Even when hosted securely, the model might spread biased content or generate insecure code. Smith said Microsoft had modified DeepSeek’s model to remove harmful behaviors. He didn’t share specifics but mentioned that the model went through “red teaming” and safety checks before being made available on Azure.
Some critics note that DeepSeek competes with Microsoft’s Copilot AI. But Smith insisted the ban isn’t about competition. Microsoft still allows other AI chat apps like Perplexity in its store. However, Google’s chatbot Gemini and the Chrome browser don’t appear to be listed either.
As tensions rise over AI regulation and digital sovereignty, Microsoft’s decision to block DeepSeek may influence others. The company is drawing a clear line—prioritizing trust, security, and transparency over access to tools with questionable data practices.
