How to Keep Your Data Private in DeepSeek: Settings and Limits

The short version

Read the storage line first: DeepSeek’s privacy policy says your data is stored in China. Then change one setting, delete what you don’t need, and keep sensitive material out of the app.

What DeepSeek collects

According to its privacy policy, DeepSeek may collect:

• What you type and upload: text, voice input, prompts, files, photos, feedback and chat history.
• Account details: email or phone number, password, and date of birth where applicable.
• Device and network data: device model, operating system, IP address, device identifiers and system language, plus crash reports and logs of the features you use.
• Approximate location based on your IP address.

The policy is controlled by Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co., Ltd. It says data may be shared with service providers, entities in its corporate group, and law enforcement or public authorities when it believes the law requires it.

Step by step

1. Opt out of model improvement

DeepSeek’s terms of use say you can opt out of your inputs and outputs being used to improve its services by turning off “Improve the model for everyone”. Look for it in the app’s settings. The privacy policy also lists the right to opt out of training, which you can request at privacy@deepseek.com.

2. Delete chats you don’t need

In the chat history, click … next to a chat (long-press in the app) and choose Delete. DeepSeek’s FAQ says deleted chats can’t be recovered.

3. Be careful with share links

A shared chat can be seen by anyone with the link. DeepSeek’s policy warns that shared chats published online may be picked up by web crawlers. See share, export and delete DeepSeek chats.

4. Log out of devices you don’t use

Go to Settings > Account settings > Log out of all devices.

Never paste

• Passwords, API keys or recovery codes
• Card, bank, Social Security or ID numbers
• Health, legal or financial details about you or other people
• Confidential work documents

DeepSeek’s own policy says its services aren’t designed to process sensitive personal data and asks you not to provide it.

Prompts to copy

Work with placeholders:

I've replaced names and numbers with [CLIENT], [AMOUNT] and [DATE].
Keep the placeholders exactly as they are in your answer.
[paste text]

Example

You want: help replying to a tenant’s complaint about a late repair.

The private way: paste the email with the tenant’s name, address and phone number replaced by placeholders, get the draft, then add the real details in your email program.

Mistakes to avoid

• Assuming deleting chats deletes everything. The policy says data is kept as long as you have an account and longer where needed for legal or business reasons.
• Sharing a link to a chat with personal details.
• Using a personal account for company data without checking your employer’s rules. See use DeepSeek safely at work.

When not to use it

For confidential material, the app is the wrong tool. A DeepSeek model running on your own computer keeps text on your machine. See run DeepSeek locally.

Related: use DeepSeek safely at work.