DeepSeek is a Chinese artificial intelligence company specializing in large language models (LLMs). Founded in 2023 by Liang Wenfeng, the Hangzhou-based firm is backed by Chinese hedge fund High-Flyer. Its flagship product, DeepSeek-R1, is an open-source AI model designed to compete with industry leaders such as OpenAI’s GPT-4o and Meta’s LLaMA 3.
While praised for its efficiency to have been trained at a fraction of the cost of its Western counterparts, DeepSeek has faced mounting scrutiny over data privacy concerns.
Several countries have since banned or restricted its use, citing security risks and fears of potential ties to the Chinese government.
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United States
The U.S. government has taken a firm stance against DeepSeek, with lawmakers drafting a bill to block the AI system from government-owned devices. On January 31, NASA banned its use on employee devices, following concerns about data security. A week earlier, the U.S. Navy issued a warning to personnel, highlighting “potential security and ethical concerns” regarding the software’s origin and data handling practices.
South Korea
South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy has temporarily restricted DeepSeek on employees’ devices, citing security risks. The government also urged ministries and agencies to exercise caution when using AI programs like ChatGPT and DeepSeek. Additionally, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, a state-run company, blocked AI services, including DeepSeek, from employees’ devices to mitigate potential cybersecurity threats.
Australia
The Australian government has fully banned DeepSeek from all government devices. The Department of Home Affairs issued a directive mandating the removal of any DeepSeek products and preventing future installations. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke emphasized that the measure was necessary to protect national security and Australia’s broader interests.
Italy
Italy’s Data Protection Authority (Garante) placed restrictions on DeepSeek, prohibiting the processing of Italian users’ data. The agency cited a lack of transparency regarding how the company collects and stores personal information. Two days prior to the official restriction, the Garante had demanded further clarification from DeepSeek regarding its data practices.
Taiwan
Taiwan also moved to block DeepSeek, banning its use in government departments over security concerns. Authorities expressed fears that sensitive information could be compromised through the AI system.
Why Countries Are Banning DeepSeek
All the countries that have banned DeepSeek have cited security and data privacy concerns as the main reasons for their decision. Governments fear that the AI system may not provide enough transparency regarding how user information is collected, stored, and shared.
According to DeepSeek’s privacy policy, the company gathers personal details such as email addresses, phone numbers, passwords, and dates of birth during user registration. It also retains chat histories and technical data, including IP addresses, keystroke patterns, and operating system details. This information is shared with service providers and advertising partners, with no clear timeline for deletion.
Cybersecurity expert Ivan Tsarynny, CEO of Feroot Security, has alleged that DeepSeek contains hidden code capable of transmitting user data to the Chinese government. He states that the AI system sends information to “CMPassport.com,” a platform linked to China Mobile, a state-run telecommunications company. However, this claim has not been independently verified.
