CFO Patronis Issues Directive Banning Chinese A.I. Company ‘DeepSeek’
| For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 20, 2025 Contact: Office of Communications, Communications@MyFloridaCFO.com, 850.413.2842 |
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CFO Patronis Issues Directive Banning Chinese A.I. Company ‘DeepSeek’
TALLASSEE, Fla. — Today, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis issued a directive to the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) banning the use of “DeepSeek,” a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) company. DeepSeek is a newly launched competitor to ChatGPT and other American-operated AI companies that presents a major national security risk, as it is designed to capture massive amounts of user data — including highly personal information — that is vulnerable to the Chinese Communist Party. Through his directive, CFO Patronis is taking the lead on protecting critical state information from a foreign adversary.
CFO Jimmy Patronis said: “Artificial intelligence is the new ‘Space Race,’ and as it grows in popularity, I will not allow sensitive Department information to be compromised through a Chinese AI app that can harm Floridians. President Trump said DeepSeek was a wake-up call, and he’s absolutely right. AI can be a huge resource for good, but it can also be a weapon if it’s in the wrong hands. Americans must be protected, and American companies must out-compete China. My directive prohibits any use of DeepSeek at the Department of Financial Services as well as any access of it on a Department device.”
WHEREAS, DeepSeek is a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) company that has developed large language models and AI assistants, with about 6 million active users globally and more than 7 million Google searches per day.
WHEREAS, DeepSeek is owned by the company High-Flyer, which is headquartered in Ningbo, in the Zhejiang province of China.
WHEREAS, DeepSeek captures vast swaths of data from its users, including date of birth, email address, phone number; any text or audio input, prompts, downloaded files, feedback, chat history, and any other content shared with the service; device model, keystroke patterns, IP address; login information if the user logs in through a third-party service like Google or Apple; and payment information.
WHEREAS, DeepSeek has already suffered a data breach affecting over a million sensitive user records, and during a Cisco test failed to block a single harmful prompt – showing the system is susceptible to cybercrime, misinformation, illegal activities, and general harm.
WHEREAS, DeepSeek has ties to computer infrastructure owned by China Mobile, a telecommunications company controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, which was prohibited from operating in the United States by the Federal Communications Commission due to national security concerns.
WHEREAS, Article 16 of China’s 2017 National Intelligence Law authorizes Chinese intelligence officials to “enter relevant restricted areas and venues; learn from and question relevant institutions, organizations and individuals and read or collect relevant files, material or items.” (emphasis added).
WHEREAS, users who create a DeepSeek account may unknowingly be making their identities, search queries, and online behavior visible to the Chinese government.
WHEREAS, the State of Florida considers the People’s Republic of China as a foreign country of concern by the State of Florida, pursuant to section 112.22(1)(c), Florida Statutes.
WHEREAS, Department of Financial Services (Department) employees have access to various secure systems including the State Treasury, law enforcement records, and other information made confidential and exempt from public disclosure pursuant to Florida Statutes.
WHEREAS, Department Administrative Policy and Procedure 4-04 authorizes the Department to inspect any and all files stored on any network or local IT resource and to audit networks, traffic, and systems to ensure compliance with all Department’s procedures.
WHEREAS, Department Administrative Policy and Procedure 4-04 prohibits the installation, introduction, downloading, access or distribution of (1) Software not specifically licensed to DFS or any affiliated entities, and (2) Instant messaging Software, unless such software is approved by the Department.
WHEREAS, Department Administrative Policy and Procedure 4-04 prohibits the downloading of malicious software, either through willful intent or negligent action.
WHEREAS, Employees who access Department networks from their personal devices, make their personal devices potential targets for persons and entities looking to penetrate the Department’s information technology systems.
WHEREAS, based on DeepSeek’s privacy vulnerabilities the Chief Financial Officer has concluded that the risks DeepSeek presents far outweigh any benefit the application could provide to official business of the Department.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT I, JIMMY PATRONIS, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 4 of the Florida Constitution, and Section 17.30 and 20.121(1), Florida Statutes, hereby issue the following Directive to all employees of the Department:
Section 1. Effective February 19, 2025, downloading, installing, or using the application or website interface of DeepSeek on any Department-issued device is hereby prohibited.
Section 2. Effective February 19, 2025, using the application or website interface of DeepSeek on any device that has access to the Department’s network is hereby prohibited.
Section 3. Violations of this Directive may result in disciplinary action, in accordance with Rule 60L-36, Florida Administrative Code, Sections 110.604 and 110.403, Florida Statutes, as applicable, and Administrative Policy and Procedure 5-26, Standards and Procedures of Discipline for Career Service Employees.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the Florida Department of Financial Services to be affixed, this 20th day of February 2025.
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About CFO Jimmy Patronis
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and X (@FLDFS).
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About CFO Jimmy Patronis
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and X (@FLDFS).