The United States Navy has officially banned its members from using DeepSeek — an artificial intelligence chatbot created in China — out of fear the Chinese government could exploit sensitive data, according to a report.

The ban, issued via email to sailors on Friday, directed them to avoid using the DeepSeek AI Assistant “in any capacity” due to “potential security and ethical concerns” since the AI model originates from China, CNBC reported. Japan-based sailors queried by Stars and Stripes said they had not received the memo as of Wednesday afternoon.

At least one body of the US government has officially banned the use of Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek among its staff. This week, the US Navy handed down the ban, barring its members and servicemen and women from using the app for personal and work-related tasks, citing “security and ethical concerns” as the reasoning behind the ban.