Australia has officially banned the use of DeepSeek on all government devices due to security concerns linked to the Chinese AI startup. The Department of Home Affairs has issued a directive requiring all government entities to prevent the use of DeepSeek applications, web services, and products and to remove any existing instances from government systems.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that the decision was made to protect national security and Australia’s best interests. The ban, however, does not apply to private citizens, meaning individuals can still use the AI service if they choose.
DeepSeek, which launched last month, has drawn global attention for its advanced AI capabilities that are reportedly more cost-effective than competitors and require less powerful hardware. Its rapid rise has raised concerns about Western investments in chip manufacturers and data centers, contributing to a drop in tech stocks worldwide.
Australia’s move follows similar bans by Italy and Taiwan, with other nations also considering restrictions. Taiwan had already prohibited its government departments from using DeepSeek earlier this week due to security concerns.
This is not the first time Australia has restricted Chinese tech companies. The government previously imposed a nationwide ban on the social media platform TikTok on government devices, citing similar security risks.
The growing scrutiny of Chinese AI firms highlights increasing global concerns about data privacy, cybersecurity, and the potential influence of foreign technology on national security. As discussions continue, other governments may follow Australia’s lead in restricting access to DeepSeek and similar AI tools.
