Australia bans DeepSeek on government devices over security risk

Australia has officially banned the use of DeepSeek on all government devices due to concerns about security risks associated with the Chinese artificial intelligence startup. DeepSeek made headlines in January when it launched a chatbot that matched the performance of its American counterparts while claiming to have significantly lower training costs. This announcement led to a dramatic drop in stock prices worldwide, including in Australia, where shares of AI-related companies, such as chipmaker Brainchip, fell sharply overnight. The Australian government has clarified that the ban is not a result of the app's Chinese origins but rather due to the 'unacceptable risk' it poses to national security. DeepSeek has yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter. The government's directive specifically requires all government entities to 'prevent the use or installation of DeepSeek products, applications, and web services,' as well as to remove any previously installed versions from government systems or devices. This means that a wide range of workers, including those at the Australia Electoral Commission and the Bureau of Meteorology, will no longer be able to use DeepSeek's tools. However, it remains unclear whether this ban will extend to public sector computers in other areas, such as schools. Importantly, the ban does not apply to private citizens using their own devices. Concerns about Chinese technology are not new, as Western countries have a history of being wary of Chinese tech firms, particularly telecom giant Huawei and the social media platform TikTok, both of which have faced restrictions on national security grounds. The initial response to DeepSeek was somewhat different, with former President Donald Trump describing it as a 'wake-up call' for the United States, suggesting that it could be a positive development if it resulted in lower AI costs. However, as time has passed, doubts about DeepSeek have begun to surface. An Australian science minister previously stated in January that countries need to be 'very careful' regarding DeepSeek, citing concerns about data and privacy. The chatbot was removed from app stores in Italy after its privacy policy came under scrutiny. Earlier this year, the Italian government temporarily blocked ChatGPT over similar privacy concerns. Regulatory bodies in South Korea, Ireland, and France have also initiated investigations into how DeepSeek manages user data, which is stored on servers located in China. The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, has indicated that the US is now examining potential security implications related to DeepSeek. Reports suggest that the US Navy has prohibited its members from using DeepSeek, although this has not been officially confirmed by the Navy. Generally, AI tools analyze the prompts and information provided to them to enhance their products. This is true for applications like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, as well as DeepSeek. All of these platforms collect and retain information, including email addresses and dates of birth. Security experts have previously warned that individuals working in sensitive or national security roles must be aware of the risks associated with entering information into chatbots, as that data may be stored and analyzed by the developers of these tools. DeepSeek has also faced accusations of unfairly utilizing technology developed in the US. Companies like OpenAI, including those operating in China, are leveraging their own innovations to make rapid advancements in their products.