DeepSeek Faces Global Restrictions: Nations Clamp Down on Chinese AI

The Chinese startup DeepSeek has drawn the ire of regulators and government agencies in several countries. Its AI models have been banned due to concerns over ethics, privacy, and security.

Italy

Italy was among the first to restrict DeepSeek following an investigation by the Data Protection Authority.

The agency demanded that the Chinese company provide information on where and how it stores users’ personal information. In response, the startup emphasized that its application does not fall under the jurisdiction of EU law.

The regulator ordered the removal of DeepSeek from Apple and Google app stores in the country.

Taiwan

Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs stated that DeepSeek “threatens national information security.” Government agencies are prohibited from using the company’s AI models.

It is claimed that public sector workers and critical infrastructure facilities are at risk of “cross-border data transfer and leakage.” The ban extends to employees of government institutions, schools, and enterprises.

U.S. Congress

U.S. Congressional offices received notification of a ban on using DeepSeek’s AI technologies.

“Malicious actors are already using DeepSeek to spread malware and infect devices. To mitigate risks, the House of Representatives has implemented security measures limiting DeepSeek’s operations […]”, the document states.

Employees are prohibited from installing the Chinese firm’s applications on official smartphones, computers, and tablets.

Texas

In Texas, the use of DeepSeek software and other Chinese companies’ products has been banned on state-issued devices.

“Texas will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate our state’s critical infrastructure through data-collecting AI and social media apps. We will continue to protect our state from hostile foreign actors,” the statement reads.

U.S. Navy

The U.S. Navy informed its personnel of the need to avoid DeepSeek technologies, citing potential security and ethical issues.

The use of AI is prohibited for both official and personal purposes.

Pentagon

The Pentagon has restricted access to the Chinese company’s technologies, but allows the use of neural networks through the authorized platform Ask Sage, which operates autonomously and does not interact directly with Chinese servers.

NASA

Following the lead of other agencies, NASA has also banned the use of DeepSeek tools. The organization is concerned about the company’s servers being located outside the U.S., posing national security risks.

Australia

The Chinese application has been banned on all government devices. Officials are instructed to remove the chatbot due to “unacceptable risk to Australia.”

Additionally, DeepSeek has been banned by hundreds of corporations worldwide. The greatest concerns relate to potential data leaks to the Chinese government.

In January, researchers from Wiz Research discovered an open DeepSeek database online, containing chat histories, private keys, backend details, and other confidential information.