Thu Feb 06 00:46:34 UTC 2025: ## Three Nations Ban Popular Chinese AI App DeepSeek Over Security Concerns
**CANBERRA/ROME/TAIPEI** – DeepSeek AI, a rapidly expanding Chinese artificial intelligence company, is facing a growing international backlash after Australia, Italy, and Taiwan issued bans on its services, citing serious security risks.
The bans come just 20 months after DeepSeek’s launch, during which its AI chatbot app gained significant popularity, surpassing even that of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. However, this popularity has been overshadowed by concerns regarding data security and potential access by Chinese authorities.
Australia led the charge, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announcing a complete ban on DeepSeek from all government systems and devices. The decision, based on a national intelligence assessment, deemed the platform an unacceptable security risk due to its data storage practices in China. While the ban doesn’t extend to personal devices, Australians are urged to exercise caution.
Italy followed suit, with its privacy regulator blocking DeepSeek’s services to protect consumer data, echoing concerns about data collection and handling. Ireland’s Data Protection Commission has also launched an investigation, requesting further details on DeepSeek’s data protection policies.
Taiwan also implemented a comprehensive ban, prohibiting DeepSeek’s use across all public sector organizations, including schools, state-owned enterprises, and critical infrastructure. The Ministry of Digital Affairs cited concerns about cross-border data transmission and potential information leaks.
The concerns are not limited to government entities. Several US federal agencies have advised employees against using the app, and hundreds of companies have reportedly requested cybersecurity firms to block access to the platform. The international response highlights the growing scrutiny of Chinese technology companies and the increasing focus on data security and national security in the age of AI.
First Piper 