Thu Feb 06 13:52:58 UTC 2025: ## Global Governments Ban Chinese AI Chatbot DeepSeek Over Security Fears

**Seoul/Canberra/Taipei/Washington D.C.** – A new Chinese AI chatbot, DeepSeek R1, is facing a global backlash, with South Korea, Australia, and Taiwan banning its use on government devices due to significant security concerns. The United States is also considering a similar ban, and other countries may follow suit.

DeepSeek, developed by Hangzhou-based startup DeepSeek, quickly gained popularity after its January launch, even topping Apple’s App Store charts. However, its low development cost—estimated at under $6 million—compared to competitors like OpenAI’s ChatGPT (over $100 million), raised red flags. This led to a significant drop in Nvidia’s stock price, as DeepSeek’s success challenged the established market.

The bans stem primarily from concerns about data security and the lack of transparency regarding how user data is handled. Governments express worry that DeepSeek, operating under Chinese jurisdiction, could be subject to access by the Chinese government, potentially facilitating espionage or surveillance. Although DeepSeek’s privacy policy outlines data collection and sharing practices, these assurances have not alleviated concerns. Further fueling these fears, a cybersecurity firm claimed DeepSeek’s code could directly transmit user data to China Mobile. While this claim hasn’t been independently verified, it underscores the prevailing anxieties.

The bans are not solely confined to the US and its allies. Italy also imposed restrictions on DeepSeek’s data processing due to insufficient information about data usage. The Australian government issued a comprehensive directive mandating the removal of DeepSeek from all government systems, citing national security risks.

The situation highlights a growing global divide in the AI sector, with Western governments viewing Chinese AI platforms as inherently more risky than their domestically developed counterparts. This is despite similar data practices employed by many Western tech giants, who, while facing scrutiny, are generally subject to domestic regulations and oversight. The contrasting approaches underscore the geopolitical tensions surrounding AI development and the increasing importance of data security in international relations.

Read More