Australia Bans Deep Seek on Government Devices Over Security Concerns

Sydney : The Australian government has banned the use of DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence startup, on all government devices over national security concerns.

The Department of Home Affairs issued a mandatory directive instructing all government entities to:

• Prevent the use or installation of DeepSeek applications and web services.
• Remove any existing instances of DeepSeek from government systems and devices.

Government’s Justification for the Ban

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said that DeepSeek posed an "unacceptable risk" to government technology, and the immediate ban was necessary "to protect Australia’s national security and national interest."

The ban, however, does not apply to private citizens or businesses.

Global Concerns Over DeepSeek

Australia’s move follows similar bans in Italy and Taiwan, with other European nations reportedly reviewing DeepSeek’s security implications.

DeepSeek’s rapid growth in the AI sector has already triggered global concerns. The AI model, cheaper and less resource-intensive than Western alternatives, has raised questions over the massive investments in AI chips and data centers made by US and European tech firms.

Australia’s Previous Bans on Chinese Tech

The decision comes two years after Australia banned TikTok from government devices over similar security risks. The Albanese government has maintained a strong stance on potential threats from foreign technology, particularly from Chinese-owned firms.

With scrutiny increasing, more nations are expected to re-evaluate their policies on AI-driven applications, particularly those linked to Chinese technology firms.