Don't use DeepSeek-v3!
The terms and conditions are scary
DeepSeek-v3 has been making quite some waves since its release where it appears to be the best open-sourced LLM released so far, even beating out models like GPT4o and Claude3.5 on multiple benchmarks.
To understand DeepSeek-v3 in detail, you can check this post below
The model looks great on real-world use cases and folks have hailed the great output quality compared to other options.
But with great power, comes great responsibility
You know, you can use DeepSeek-v3 for free.
But should you use it? No
Recently, a Reddit thread has come up with a few strange points in the terms and conditions of DeepSeek
1.It is highly biased with Chinese ideology
Before we jump onto discuss this, see the below screenshots
So any part of the land that is in controversy with China, DeepSeek can’t answer. You might get answers to questions depending on the “Chinese” perspective.
2. Hidden Responsibility for Inputs and Outputs (Section 4.1)
According to DeepSeek’s terms, you are fully responsible for all Inputs submitted to their services and the corresponding Outputs. This means:
You must ensure you have the legal rights, licenses, and permissions to submit any data.
You alone are liable if your Inputs or Outputs breach any laws or regulations.
This heavy responsibility exposes users to potential legal risks, especially if they unknowingly upload copyrighted or sensitive data.
3. Hidden Data Usage Policy (Section 4.2)
DeepSeek claims that, under certain conditions, it may use its Inputs and Outputs to maintain or improve its services. Despite assurances of secure encryption and de-identification, this policy raises several red flags:
Data Privacy Concerns: Even minimal usage of your data creates potential risks of misuse or leaks.
No Clear Opt-Out: Unless you give explicit separate consent, they may still use your data for service-related purposes.
These ambiguities leave users vulnerable to unintended data exposure.
4. Intellectual Property Complications (Section 5.1)
DeepSeek retains all intellectual property rights related to its services. Here’s what this entails:
You cannot use, copy, or even display any content or software from DeepSeek without permission.
Any misuse, even unintentional, may lead to legal action from DeepSeek.
This restrictive policy significantly limits how users interact with their Outputs and DeepSeek’s software.
I asked this question and got this answer
You can read the entire policy doc here
Final Thoughts
The policies outlined by DeepSeek-v3 create potential traps for users who may overlook the fine print. By holding users entirely accountable for Inputs and Outputs, reserving rights to use data under vague terms, and enforcing strict intellectual property restrictions, DeepSeek exposes its users to unnecessary legal and privacy risks.
For these reasons, it’s best to avoid DeepSeek-v3 and seek alternatives with clearer, more user-friendly policies.
