Sault Ste. Marie city council is set to discuss a potential ban on DeepSeek, a popular AI chatbot developed by a Chinese company. Ward 4 Councillors Stephan Kinach and Marchy Bruni are leading the effort, citing privacy and security concerns. The resolution will be presented at next week’s council meeting.
DeepSeek Chinese AI Tool
DeepSeek is a large language model app that quickly rose to the top of Apple’s App Store charts after its release last month. It performs similarly to OpenAI’s ChatGPT but costs 95% less to operate. Despite its popularity, concerns about data privacy have sparked calls for its removal from city-owned devices. The tool has already been making waves in the AI world, as noted in DeepSeek: The Startup That Shook Silicon Valley, where its disruption of the industry has drawn global attention.
Why the Concern?
Councillors Kinach and Bruni are worried about the risks DeepSeek poses to user privacy. They argue that the app could allow unauthorized access to sensitive information, such as:
- Names, emails, and phone numbers
- Text or audio inputs
- Uploaded files and chat histories
These concerns align with recommendations from Shared Services Canada (SSC), which advises governments to block the app on their networks and devices as a precaution. Additionally, as covered in China Responds to New Bans on DeepSeek: Chinese Companies Operate, similar restrictions have already been discussed in international markets.
The Proposed Resolution
The resolution, to be presented on Monday, requests city staff to develop a plan to block DeepSeek from all city-owned devices and networks. The full text of the resolution reads:
DeepSeek on City-Owned and City-Issued Devices
Mover: Coun. S. Kinach
Seconder: Coun. M. Bruni
- Whereas the city council is committed to protecting the privacy, security, and integrity of city devices;
- Whereas advanced AI platforms raise concerns about unauthorized access to sensitive data;
- Whereas Shared Services Canada recommends blocking the app as a precaution;
Now therefore, it is resolved that staff report back with a plan to block the AI platform from all city devices and networks.
What Happens Next?
If the resolution passes, city staff will work on implementing the ban. This could involve blocking the app on all city-owned devices and networks to prevent potential data breaches. he response from the company’s leadership, including DeepSeek CEO Liang Wenfeng Prioritizes Creativity, Hires Humanities Graduates, suggests that the company is positioning itself for long-term global influence despite these setbacks.
Why This Matters
The move reflects growing concerns about data privacy in the age of AI. As apps like DeepSeek become more popular, governments and organizations are taking steps to protect sensitive information. For Sault Ste. Marie, this could mean setting a precedent for how AI tools are used in municipal operations. Similar trends can be seen with OpenAI’s recent efforts to counter DeepSeek’s rise, as detailed in OpenAI Introduces New ChatGPT Tool to Counter China’s DeepSeek.
Conclusion
The potential ban on DeepSeek highlights the challenges of balancing innovation with privacy and security. As city council debates the issue, the outcome could shape how Sault Ste. Marie and other cities approach AI technology in the future. Stay tuned for updates as the council meeting unfolds.
