Australia Bans DeepSeek on Government Devices Amid Security Concerns

Thu Feb 20 2025 22:16:31 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)
Australia Bans DeepSeek on Government Devices Amid Security Concerns

Australia cites security risks for banning the Chinese AI app DeepSeek from government systems, impacting various public sector entities.


Following the sudden rise of the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, Australia’s government has enacted a ban on all its products and services from government devices, emphasizing the app's potential security threats. This decision mirrors ongoing global hesitance towards Chinese tech, while questions linger about data privacy and user information management within DeepSeek.

Australia's ban on DeepSeek from government devices comes amid rising concerns over national security posed by Chinese technology. The ban specifically targets any government use of the AI application, prohibiting its installation and usage across various sectors including the Electoral Commission and Bureau of Meteorology.

DeepSeek gained prominence earlier this year when it lauded an innovative chatbot that challenged US competitors with lower training costs, leading to significant stock losses in Australia. Despite the Australian government asserting the ban doesn't stem from DeepSeek’s Chinese roots, skepticism around the safety of its services has surfaced, akin to previous restrictions on firms like Huawei and TikTok.

Doubt surrounding the app has grown, with international scrutiny escalating; DeepSeek has been placed on the radar of regulators in Italy, South Korea, Ireland, and France, all questioning its data handling ethics. Additionally, there are reports that the US Navy has prohibited its personnel from using DeepSeek and the White House is examining potential security implications as well.

The impetus behind such protective measures reflects broader anxieties regarding data collection practices among AI tools. Security experts emphasize the need for caution among professionals in sensitive areas when using AI chatbots like DeepSeek, as these applications often retain user-generated information that could be exploited if hacked or mishandled.

As nations grapple with the promising yet precarious nature of AI technology, the Australian government's decision signals mounting vigilance over data privacy and national security amidst global concerns over foreign tech influences.

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