DeepSeek should not be used for company work. Our verdict for a typical 50–500 person company handling client or regulated data: Prohibited. Its own privacy policy states data is stored on servers in China, inputs may be used for training, and there is no enterprise governance tier — multiple governments have banned it on official devices. This is the clean example of a Prohibited-tier tool: capable model, unacceptable data terms for company use. Block it and offer approved alternatives.
| Vendor | DeepSeek (Hangzhou) |
|---|---|
| Category | General assistant |
| Our tier verdict | Prohibited — Its own privacy policy states data is stored on servers in China, inputs may be used for training, and there is no enterprise governance tier — multiple governments have banned it on official devices. |
| Trains on your data? | Yes. Yes. DeepSeek’s published privacy policy permits using inputs to improve its services. |
| Data retention | DeepSeek’s privacy policy states information is stored on servers located in the People’s Republic of China. |
| Admin controls | None. No enterprise tier, no admin console, no data-processing agreement suitable for a US/EU company. |
| Compliance certifications | Not publicly documented |
| HIPAA / BAA | No. |
Yes. DeepSeek’s published privacy policy permits using inputs to improve its services.
Retention: DeepSeek’s privacy policy states information is stored on servers located in the People’s Republic of China.
No. As a rule: no signed Business Associate Agreement means no protected health information (PHI) — regardless of how good the vendor’s general security posture is.
Do not allow DeepSeek anywhere near patient information. No.
DeepSeek fails the basic vendor-due-diligence test for financial services: inputs feed the vendor’s models and there is no auditable control surface. SEC/FINRA recordkeeping duties also mean untracked AI channels are an examination finding waiting to happen.
Privilege and DeepSeek do not mix: entering client matter details into a consumer AI service with training rights is an uncontrolled disclosure risk no engagement letter contemplates.
Why the tier verdict is "generic": Prohibited is the right starting classification for most 50–500 person companies — but a healthcare company, a law firm, and a SaaS startup should not have identical tool lists. The $79 policy kit classifies DeepSeek and 24+ other tools specifically for your industry, company size, and the data your team handles.
And it goes stale: vendor data policies change quietly — a terms update can move a tool between tiers overnight. The $149/mo Monitor plan exists precisely because this page is only accurate as of July 2026.
DeepSeek should not be used for company work. Our verdict for a typical 50–500 person company handling client or regulated data: Prohibited. Its own privacy policy states data is stored on servers in China, inputs may be used for training, and there is no enterprise governance tier — multiple governments have banned it on official devices. This is the clean example of a Prohibited-tier tool: capable model, unacceptable data terms for company use. Block it and offer approved alternatives.
Yes. DeepSeek’s published privacy policy permits using inputs to improve its services.
No. As a rule: no signed Business Associate Agreement means no protected health information (PHI) — regardless of how good the vendor’s general security posture is.
We classify DeepSeek as Prohibited for a typical 50–500 person company. Its own privacy policy states data is stored on servers in China, inputs may be used for training, and there is no enterprise governance tier — multiple governments have banned it on official devices. Your own classification should reflect your industry, data types, and which plan/account type your company actually uses.
A 4-document AI policy kit — acceptable use policy, tool tier list, acknowledgment form, manager FAQ — that classifies DeepSeek and 24+ other tools for your company, industry, and data. Generated in about 10 minutes.
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