freee IT Management Updates to Expand Countermeasures Against the Growing "Shadow AI" Problem, Supporting Detection of Over 15,000 AI Tools
freee expanded the 'Shadow IT' detection in 'freee IT Management' to cover over 15,000 AI tools, mitigating data leak risks from unapproved generative AI use.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 8, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 02:13 (302h 42m after Collected)
freee K.K. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Daisuke Sasaki; hereinafter "freee") has announced a significant expansion of the detection capabilities for "Shadow IT"—IT tools used without the knowledge of information systems departments—within "freee IT Management," a service that supports SaaS management and the streamlining of information systems operations. With this update, it is now possible to detect over 15,000 AI tools, strengthening countermeasures against the rapidly increasing risks of "Shadow AI" in recent years.
■ The Threat of "Shadow AI" Lurking in the Spring Onboarding and Offboarding Season
Currently, along with the rapid spread of web services such as generative AI, there is an increasing number of opportunities for employees to select tools themselves to improve operational efficiency. On the other hand, the expansion of "Shadow IT," which administrators cannot fully keep track of, poses a risk to corporate governance and control.
In recent years, "Shadow AI"—where employees use company-unapproved generative AI based on their own judgment—has been rapidly increasing. In reality, compared to traditional tools, this carries a higher risk of inviting unexpected secondary damage, such as the leakage of confidential information through the repurposing of input data for learning. Particularly in the spring season, when personnel turnover due to joining and leaving the company is intense, management deficiencies such as "former employees being able to continue using company accounts or personally introduced AI tools" have become a challenge in many workplaces.
■ Realizing "Defensive AI" by Detecting Over 15,000 AI Tools
In response to user feedback such as "We cannot fully grasp the AI usage status of employees" and "We hesitate to utilize AI due to security concerns," "freee IT Management" has expanded its "Shadow IT" detection function. By expanding the target detection tools to 15,000, it helps to build stronger IT governance and assist in resolving barriers to AI utilization.
freee IT Management Product Page: https://www.freee.co.jp/it-management/
■ Examples of Detectable AI Tools
It is capable of detecting a wide range of major domestic and international generative AI tools, including the following:
*Listed in alphabetical order by product name
- ChatGPT (OpenAI)
- Claude (Anthropic)
- DeepSeek Chat (DeepSeek)
- Gemini (Google)
- Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft)
- Perplexity AI (Perplexity AI)
etc.
■ freee K.K. Company Profile
Company Name: freee K.K.
Representative: CEO Daisuke Sasaki
Date of Establishment: July 9, 2012
Location: 21F Art Village Osaki Central Tower, 1-2-2 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
■ The Threat of "Shadow AI" Lurking in the Spring Onboarding and Offboarding Season
Currently, along with the rapid spread of web services such as generative AI, there is an increasing number of opportunities for employees to select tools themselves to improve operational efficiency. On the other hand, the expansion of "Shadow IT," which administrators cannot fully keep track of, poses a risk to corporate governance and control.
In recent years, "Shadow AI"—where employees use company-unapproved generative AI based on their own judgment—has been rapidly increasing. In reality, compared to traditional tools, this carries a higher risk of inviting unexpected secondary damage, such as the leakage of confidential information through the repurposing of input data for learning. Particularly in the spring season, when personnel turnover due to joining and leaving the company is intense, management deficiencies such as "former employees being able to continue using company accounts or personally introduced AI tools" have become a challenge in many workplaces.
■ Realizing "Defensive AI" by Detecting Over 15,000 AI Tools
In response to user feedback such as "We cannot fully grasp the AI usage status of employees" and "We hesitate to utilize AI due to security concerns," "freee IT Management" has expanded its "Shadow IT" detection function. By expanding the target detection tools to 15,000, it helps to build stronger IT governance and assist in resolving barriers to AI utilization.
freee IT Management Product Page: https://www.freee.co.jp/it-management/
■ Examples of Detectable AI Tools
It is capable of detecting a wide range of major domestic and international generative AI tools, including the following:
*Listed in alphabetical order by product name
- ChatGPT (OpenAI)
- Claude (Anthropic)
- DeepSeek Chat (DeepSeek)
- Gemini (Google)
- Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft)
- Perplexity AI (Perplexity AI)
etc.
■ freee K.K. Company Profile
Company Name: freee K.K.
Representative: CEO Daisuke Sasaki
Date of Establishment: July 9, 2012
Location: 21F Art Village Osaki Central Tower, 1-2-2 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
FAQ
What is Shadow AI?
It refers to the situation where employees use unauthorized AI tools, such as generative AI, in their work without company approval. This poses a risk of confidential information leaks.
Which AI tools can freee IT management detect?
It can detect over 15,000 generative AI tools, including ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, both domestically and internationally.
Why is Shadow AI dangerous during hiring and departure seasons?
This is because there is a higher risk of account management oversights, where former employees continue to use unauthorized AI tools or personally installed tools registered with company email after leaving the company.