GUWAHATI: DeepSeek AI, a Chinese artificial intelligence chatbot, has sparked global regulatory concerns, leading several governments to impose bans on its use.
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Citing security and privacy risks, multiple nations have either fully or partially restricted access to the AI platform, with some extending bans to private citizens.
India’s Ministry of Finance recently prohibited its employees from using DeepSeek AI via a circular passed on January 29, joining a growing list of countries taking similar measures.
Italy was the first country to ban DeepSeek AI last month. The Italian Data Protection Authority (DPA) initiated the ban after demanding clarity on how the platform handles user data. This followed a complaint by Euroconsumers, a consumer rights group. DeepSeek was given 20 days to respond, but the ban was imposed shortly after. The AI chatbot has since been removed from app stores in Italy.
Taiwan has also enforced a strict ban on DeepSeek AI across all public sector organisations, including government agencies, state-owned enterprises, public schools, and critical infrastructure. While private citizens can still access the chatbot, authorities have warned of the risks associated with cross-border data transmission. Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs raised concerns over potential information leaks, given the country’s longstanding sovereignty dispute with China.
The Australian government, meanwhile, has prohibited its employees from using DeepSeek AI on government infrastructure. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke was the one to announce the ban, citing a national intelligence assessment that deemed the AI platform an “unacceptable security risk.” Though the restriction does not extend to personal devices, Burke still urged Australians to exercise caution when using the chatbot and to prioritise digital privacy.
More countries have been expected to evaluate the platform’s potential risks, with further restrictions likely in the coming months. This latest crackdown on DeepSeek AI has mirrored similar regulatory actions taken against several Chinese technology firms in recent years.
