Australia Tightens Cybersecurity, Prohibits DeepSeek on Government Tech

The Australian government has officially banned the use of DeepSeek on all government devices and systems, citing national security risks associated with the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) startup. The decision requires all government agencies to prevent the installation, use, or access to DeepSeek’s products, applications, and web services.

Additionally, any previously installed versions must be removed from government systems, impacting a broad range of public sector workers, including those in the Australian Electoral Commission and Bureau of Meteorology. However, the ban does not extend to private citizens or non-government sectors, leaving uncertainty about its potential impact on areas like public schools and universities.

DeepSeek made headlines in January 2025 when it unveiled an advanced AI chatbot that rivaled the performance of US-based AI models, while boasting significantly lower training costs. The announcement led to a global market reaction, with billions of dollars wiped off AI-related stock valuations, including Australia’s chipmaker Brainchip, which experienced a sharp decline overnight. Despite DeepSeek’s rapid success—becoming the most downloaded free app in the UK and US—concerns about its data privacy practices and security risks have led to increased regulatory scrutiny worldwide.

The Australian government insists that the decision to ban DeepSeek is not related to its Chinese origins but rather due to the "unacceptable risk" it poses to national security. The move follows a pattern seen in other Western nations, where governments have restricted Chinese technology over fears of data vulnerabilities and foreign surveillance risks. While DeepSeek has yet to respond to Australia’s ban, it is already facing privacy-related investigations in several countries, including South Korea, Ireland, and France.

Concerns over Chinese technology in Western countries are not new. Previously, the telecom giant Huawei and social media platform TikTok faced bans and restrictions in multiple nations due to alleged national security threats. While DeepSeek initially received a different reaction—former US President Donald Trump even called it a "wake-up call" for AI competition—sentiment has since shifted. The US Navy reportedly banned DeepSeek, and White House officials have acknowledged that US authorities are assessing the security risks associated with the chatbot.

DeepSeek’s troubles escalated when the Italian government temporarily removed the app from stores, citing concerns over its privacy policy—an issue similar to Italy’s previous ban on ChatGPT in 2023. Security experts warn that AI tools analyze user prompts, storing and processing sensitive data such as email addresses and birth dates. This raises alarms for government officials and professionals working with confidential information, as their interactions with AI-powered platforms could be stored and accessed by foreign entities.

Beyond security risks, DeepSeek has also been accused of unfairly leveraging US technology to develop its AI models. OpenAI has claimed that rival AI developers, including in China, have used its work without authorization to accelerate their progress. This has fueled concerns that DeepSeek’s rapid development may have relied on intellectual property violations, further complicating its global standing.

Australia’s ban on DeepSeek in government systems is part of a broader trend where nations are taking a cautious approach to foreign AI tools. While the platform remains accessible to private users, the growing scrutiny and regulatory actions worldwide could impact DeepSeek’s expansion and credibility. As governments tighten their grip on AI regulations, the fate of foreign AI platforms in global markets remains uncertain.