Security Concerns Lead to Ban of DeepSeek in Australia
Australia has officially banned China’s artificial intelligence program DeepSeek on all government devices, citing significant security risks. The announcement was made on Tuesday, February 4, as part of Australia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its cybersecurity policies. Before Australia, Italy, Taiwan, and the US had also imposed similar bans on DeepSeek in their government departments. Security concerns regarding DeepSeek are currently being investigated in Europe and other countries, with many governments considering restrictions.
This move follows Australia’s earlier decision to ban the Chinese social media app TikTok on government devices two years ago. By banning DeepSeek, the Australian government aims to further tighten its cyber security measures.
Government Directive and Security Risks
In an official statement released on Tuesday, the Australian Home Affairs Secretary instructed all government entities to cease using DeepSeek’s products, applications, and web services. Authorities were also directed to immediately remove any existing DeepSeek services from government systems.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke emphasized that DeepSeek poses an “unacceptable risk” to the technical security of government operations. He described the ban as a “necessary step to protect Australia’s national security and national interest.” Importantly, the restriction is limited to government systems and does not apply to private citizens’ devices.
DeepSeek’s Growing Popularity and Competition
Since its launch last month, DeepSeek has garnered significant attention and has become the most downloaded free app on the Apple App Store in the US. The AI model is giving stiff competition to ChatGPT by offering services at a much lower cost and requiring less advanced chips. This development has raised concerns about the heavy investments made by Western countries in chip manufacturing and data centers.
Experts Urge Caution
Leading AI experts have advised users to exercise caution while using DeepSeek and to avoid sharing sensitive information on the platform. Concerns have been raised that the data recorded in DeepSeek could potentially be accessed by the Chinese government, posing privacy risks for users.
Dame Wendy Hall, a UN AI adviser, highlighted the potential dangers of DeepSeek, stating, “If you are a Chinese tech company and are doing information-related work, you are subject to the rules of the Chinese government. Companies are obliged to share information with the government.” This requirement brings user data privacy into question, making it crucial for governments and individuals alike to remain vigilant.
The ban on DeepSeek underscores Australia’s commitment to safeguarding its national security and technological infrastructure while raising awareness about the potential risks associated with certain AI technologies.