Australia Bans ‘DeepSeek’ on Government Devices Amid Security Concerns

Australia has announced an outright ban on the use of Chinese startup DeepSeek’s artificial intelligence software across all government devices. The decision stems from a security risk deemed “unacceptable,” prompting swift condemnation from Beijing.

Stephanie Foster, the Australian Minister for Home Affairs, stated in a directive released on 4 February:

“After assessing the risks and threats, I have concluded that the use of DeepSeek’s products, applications, and internet services poses an unacceptable level of risk to Australian government security.”

She confirmed that all DeepSeek software would be removed from both fixed and mobile government equipment by Wednesday.

China’s response was immediate, decrying the decision as an example of the undue politicisation of economic, commercial, and technological matters.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserted in a statement:

“The Chinese government has never required, and will never require, businesses or individuals to illegally collect or store data.”

DeepSeek’s sudden emergence in January, with its conversational AI robot R1, has captured attention due to its ability to rival American competitors at a fraction of the cost, raising alarms about the implications for the AI industry’s economic landscape.

Global Concerns Mount

DeepSeek’s software has not only raised eyebrows in Australia; it has sparked apprehension among authorities worldwide.

Just last week, Taiwan also announced a ban on the company’s applications for its officials and critical infrastructure, citing risks to “national information security.”

In South Korea, the Personal Data Protection Commission has launched an inquiry into DeepSeek’s handling of user information, reflecting similar concerns expressed in other nations, including France and Ireland.

Major South Korean tech companies, such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, are key suppliers of advanced microprocessors used in AI servers and are now under scrutiny.

Italy’s data protection authority announced in January that it would investigate DeepSeek’s conversational robot, prohibiting it from processing data of Italian users due to:

“totally insufficient” answers provided by the company regarding its data practices.

Warnings from Australian Officials

The moment DeepSeek entered the AI landscape, it raised red flags for Australian officials.

Ed Husic, Australia’s Minister for Industry and Science, urged users to proceed with caution, stating:

“There are many questions that need to be addressed regarding product quality, consumer preferences, and data privacy management.”

He stressed the need for vigilance with the Chinese chatbot, noting:

“The Chinese are very skilled at developing products that perform exceptionally well,”

but warned that expectations regarding data protection vary significantly across markets.

Andrew Charlton, the government’s cybersecurity envoy, reinforced that this was a proactive measure based on security agency recommendations.

“We do not wish to expose government systems to these applications,” he told ABC. “Uploaded information may not remain private, and applications like DeepSeek could expose users to malware.”

The developments underline a growing global trend of unease surrounding the integration of foreign technology into sensitive sectors.

Source: Le Mauricien