DeepSeek: what it is, free use and what it’s for (2026)
A guide to DeepSeek, the Chinese AI chatbot: what it is, how to use it free on web and mobile, and which tasks it handles well.
What it is
DeepSeek is an AI assistant from the Chinese company Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co., Ltd. Its website announces DeepSeek-V4.1-Flash as the latest version, with better text, agent and image understanding.
Everyday uses
- Summarise a long text you paste in.
- Ask for a step-by-step explanation of a concept.
- Rewrite an email in a more formal tone.
Like any language model, it can make things up: its policy warns you not to rely on the accuracy of its answers.
What about my data? (summary)
According to its official policy (10 Feb 2026), data is stored in the People’s Republic of China and may be used to train its models. Do not enter sensitive data. Read the full analysis: DeepSeek and privacy.
Alternatives
ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude or Mistral’s Le Chat, from a European company.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free?
The web and app chat can be used without paying; the developer platform (API) is paid.
Where is my data stored?
According to its privacy policy (10 Feb 2026), data is collected, processed and stored in the People’s Republic of China.
What should I not type?
The policy itself asks you not to enter sensitive data: health, religion, children’s data, precise location, etc.
Keep reading
Sources
- DeepSeek (web oficial) — DeepSeek
- DeepSeek Privacy Policy (10 feb 2026) — DeepSeek
Change log
- : First publication with official sources checked on 16 Oct 2026.
Educational content, prepared with the help of AI tools, with sources cited. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Tools change fast: if you spot something out of date, write to us at contacto@cognenza.com. How we work.