Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek is facing increasing scrutiny worldwide as governments and regulators impose bans and launch investigations into its chatbot. Concerns over data privacy, security risks, and the company’s ties to China have led to restrictions in multiple countries, including Italy, Australia, Taiwan, and the United States.
Italy Takes the Lead in Blocking DeepSeek
Italy became the first country to ban DeepSeek’s chatbot on January 30, after the national data protection authority, the Garante, found the company’s privacy policies insufficient. The regulator had questioned DeepSeek about its collection, use, and storage of personal data, particularly whether it was being stored in China. When DeepSeek responded that it was not subject to local regulation and refused to provide further information, the Italian authority ordered an immediate block and launched an investigation.
Read More: Italy blocks DeepSeek
Despite the ban, some Italian users who had previously downloaded the app reported that it was still functioning on their devices, and the web version remained accessible. Italy’s Garante has been a leading force in European AI regulation, having temporarily banned OpenAI’s ChatGPT in 2023 over similar privacy concerns.
European Regulators Step Up Scrutiny
Italy’s move has triggered further scrutiny across Europe, with data protection authorities in France and Ireland also questioning DeepSeek’s handling of personal data. Authorities in Belgium and South Korea have also indicated plans to investigate how DeepSeek manages user information.
DeepSeek has rapidly gained traction worldwide, becoming the most downloaded free app on Apple’s App Store in the United States. The company claims its AI models rival or even outperform U.S. counterparts at a lower cost. However, European regulators remain firm on enforcing strict data protection laws and ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.
Security Fears Prompt Government Bans
Beyond privacy concerns, security agencies in multiple countries have flagged DeepSeek as a potential national security risk. Taiwan was among the first to prohibit government agencies from using the AI assistant, citing fears over data security and the risk of cross-border information leaks. The country’s Ministry of Digital Affairs warned that Chinese intelligence agencies could access user data under China’s strict cybersecurity laws.
In the United States, Texas became the first state to ban DeepSeek on government-issued devices. Governor Greg Abbott stated that Texas would not allow “data-harvesting AI” to infiltrate state infrastructure. The U.S. Navy, NASA, and other federal agencies have also restricted the use of DeepSeek’s technology, citing security risks.
Australia has taken one of the toughest stances yet, banning DeepSeek across all government devices based on advice from national security agencies. The Australian Home Affairs Department issued a directive stating that DeepSeek posed an “unacceptable level of security risk” and ordered all government entities to remove the app from their systems. Cybersecurity experts warned that DeepSeek collects keystroke data, which could be used to track and identify individuals.
Growing Tensions Over Chinese AI
The backlash against DeepSeek comes amid rising tensions between China and Western nations over artificial intelligence and data security. Australia previously banned Huawei from its 5G network in 2018 and TikTok from government devices in 2023 due to similar concerns.
Read More: OpenAI announces new ‘deep research’ tool for ChatGPT
DeepSeek has drawn comparisons to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, with experts suggesting it could disrupt the AI industry due to its high performance and low cost. However, allegations of reverse-engineering U.S. technology and data security risks have fueled further skepticism.