The Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek has been recently banned from Australian government devices.
According to officials, the ban was based on national security risks, which compelled the immediate removal of the ChatGPT rival from all federal networks except for corporate organizations such as Australia Post and ABC.
This is after DeepSeek dominated the charts at Apple’s App Store and also caused billions in stock market losses. The government agencies in Australia are to block its access and report compliance, although employees may still use it on their personal devices.
Why Is DeepSeek Considered a Security Threat?
China’s DeepSeek Banned in Australia as Government Grows Concerned Over
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As Reuters reports, DeepSeek, the first significant Chinese AI, has captured international attention with its low-price, high-efficiency AI model. Yet, it has raised concerns about data privacy, censorship, and interference by outsiders.
Intelligence agencies assess that DeepSeek poses an “unacceptable risk” to Australian government infrastructure. This is in line with security actions taken previously, such as the ban on TikTok on government devices back in 2023 over comparable suspicion of Chinese state influence.
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Government Position on AI and Cybersecurity
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the ban is not aimed at any country but rather risks to national security.
“AI offers immense potential, but when risks arise, we will act decisively to protect our government assets,” Burke said.
Science Minister Ed Husic had earlier raised concerns about DeepSeek’s handling of user data, cautioning that the platform’s data management practices are still unclear.
Cybersecurity experts echo these concerns. Associate Professor Dana McKay from RMIT’s School of Computing Technologies explained that DeepSeek is obligate to share collected data with the Chinese government.
She warned that if installed on a computer, the software could request administrator access, potentially exposing sensitive information.
Data Vulnerabilities Could Show Up With DeepSeek
Although the ban is only on government-issued devices, cybersecurity officials warn all Australians to be careful in using DeepSeek. The government’s special envoy for cybersecurity, Andrew Charlton, urged users to be aware of data vulnerabilities.
Charlton advised the public to be extremely vigilant with the app. People should also refrain from clicking suspicious links since they might be directed to websites where their sensitive information can be stolen.
DeepSeek Ban Follows Global Trend
Australia follows the footsteps of Italy, Texas, and segments of the US military in more recent and drastic restrictions on Chinese AI technologies.
In the US, downloading DeepSeek may eventually become against the law. If Senator Josh Hawley’s bill becomes law, Americans caught using the Chinese AI bot can face a 20-year prison sentence.
As the AI war continues, governments across the globe are faced with the challenge of balancing technological innovation with national security concerns. Australia may eventually make room for DeepSeek, but for now, federal agencies are taking no chances.
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