Australia Bans DeepSeek on Government Devices Over Security Concerns

Australia has taken decisive action by banning the DeepSeek chatbot from all government devices, following warnings from security agencies about potential privacy and malware threats linked to the AI program developed by a China-based startup.

Launched last month, DeepSeek quickly attracted attention for its disruptive impact on financial markets.

However, concerns about its data handling practices have led multiple countries, including South Korea, Italy, and France, to raise alarms over security risks.

The ban represents one of the strongest responses to the Chinese-developed chatbot. “This is a move based on advice from security agencies, and it’s far from symbolic,” said Andrew Charlton, Australia’s cybersecurity envoy. “We cannot risk exposing government systems to such applications.”

Concerns highlighted include the potential loss of privacy for uploaded data and the possibility of malware exposure, Charlton explained to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Security Threats Confirmed

The Australian government’s Home Affairs department issued an official directive overnight, citing an unacceptable level of risk associated with DeepSeek products. “After a thorough risk assessment, I have concluded that DeepSeek presents a serious security threat to Australian Government systems,” stated Stephanie Foster, Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs.

Effective immediately, all government employees must remove any existing DeepSeek products, applications, and web services from government systems and mobile devices.

Further, the installation or use of DeepSeek applications must be blocked.

This move has received broad bipartisan support, echoing Australia’s previous security-driven decisions, such as the 2018 ban on Huawei from the national 5G network and the 2023 ban on TikTok from government devices.

Chinese Data Concerns

Cybersecurity expert Dana McKay highlighted the risks posed by DeepSeek, noting that Chinese companies must store data in China, where it undergoes government inspection.

McKay explained that DeepSeek’s privacy policy collects keystroke data, which can identify individuals and create vulnerabilities.

DeepSeek raised further alarm last month with claims that its R1 chatbot rivals top US AI models at a fraction of the cost, sending shockwaves through Silicon Valley.

Experts have speculated that DeepSeek may have reverse-engineered US technologies, including the AI behind ChatGPT.

As concerns over its data practices grow, DeepSeek has become a focal point for governments in countries like South Korea, Ireland, France, and Australia, questioning how personal data is handled and whether it is used to train the chatbot’s AI system.

Tensions with China Persist

This development continues a long-standing tension between Australia and China, marked by Australia’s earlier decision on Huawei and its crackdown on Chinese influence operations.

Despite a cooling of trade hostilities after China lifted its ban on Australian live rock lobsters late last year, relations remain strained.