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AI safety – keeping your data safe

1 April 2025 · 3 min read
We are prioritising AI safety by restricting DeepSeek AI due to privacy concerns and advising students to use secure AI options like Microsoft’s Copilot. Students are encouraged to review AI settings, seek permission for AI use in assessments, and properly acknowledge AI-generated content.

Federation University has been keeping a close watch on the developments in new Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and we’re sharing information today to help you protect your data and the University’s data, as more AI platforms are introduced into the market.

While AI offers options to help streamline your work, there is also the potential for substantial privacy risks and data breaches.

At Federation, we strongly recommend using Microsoft’s Copilot because it offers higher built-in data security measures and Microsoft is an approved University provider. There are also protections available for your data when using ChatGPT if you switch on some specific settings.

Look closely at AI software settings before you start

Always check the settings on any AI software before you start using it. For instance:

  • we strongly encourage you to turn off the storing of your personal data
  • switch off any settings in relation to training the broader AI model
  • turn off the access to your chat history or the data stored in your device, and
  • if the AI software requires significant access to your computer, device or data, do not use it.

Federation is restricting the use of DeepSeek AI

Federation is taking the action to actively restrict the use of DeepSeek AI from within the Federation University Australia network.

Many Australian universities are assessing or actively restricting the use of the DeepSeek AI chatbot specifically, for a number of reasons. As this chatbot is housed and owned outside of Australia, there are significant concerns surrounding:


Lack of data encryption

Messages sent and received through DeepSeek are not protected from third party collection.

Device monitoring

DeepSeek collects extensive information from devices it’s used on, including audio files, chat and search history, keystroke patterns, IP addresses and activity from other applications.

Foreign ownership

Data received by DeepSeek is owned and stored outside Australia and can therefore be used for any purpose (which violates Federation University privacy agreements).

Different legislation

DeepSeek is not subject to Australian legislation or governance.

While we are restricting DeepSeek from the University’s network, we are also urging all students to be highly cautious when using AI technologies such as DeepSeek. 


More information

Federation University regularly updates its information on the use of AI. You can check the About generative artificial intelligence: Use at university - Subject Guides to find out more about keeping your data safe.

Remember:

  • You must get permission to use AI in your assessment tasks via either reading the course description or speaking directly to your lecturer.
  • If you do use AI, you must acknowledge it in your work.

For more information about using AI at university, refer to Lesson 4 of the Academic Integrity Module (AIM).