Czech Officials Prohibit the Application of AI Chatbot Deepseek in Governmental spheres
In a move aimed at safeguarding cybersecurity and protecting sensitive data, various governments around the world have banned the use of the Chinese AI chatbot, DeepSeek, on government devices. The primary reason for this decision is the potential risk of unauthorized access to user data and the threat of espionage.
The Czech Republic was one of the first to act, banning DeepSeek in its state administration following a warning from its national cybersecurity watchdog. The concern was that the company's obligation to cooperate with Chinese authorities could lead to unauthorized access to government data.
Similarly, Italy blocked access to DeepSeek in January 2025 due to unresolved concerns about privacy and data protection. Other countries, such as Australia and South Korea, have also imposed bans or restrictions on government devices.
In Germany, the data protection commissioner declared the app "unlawful" due to the transfer of user data to China in violation of privacy laws. This followed similar actions by Italy and ongoing investigations in other EU countries.
In the United States, federal and state governments have banned DeepSeek on government-issued devices. Lawmakers have even proposed bills banning AI models developed in China, including DeepSeek, from federal government agencies, citing fears that proprietary and sensitive information could be exposed to the Chinese Communist Party.
These bans come as governments view DeepSeek as a significant national security threat due to its data handling practices and the risk that sensitive government information could be accessed by Chinese authorities. The widespread bans on its use in official capacities underscore the growing concern over the potential risks posed by AI chatbots developed in countries with different data protection and privacy laws.
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/10/technology/deepseek-ai-ban.html [2] https://www.reuters.com/technology/deepseek-ai-chatbot-banned-czech-republic-over-data-security-concerns-2023-02-10/ [3] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-02-11/germany-says-deepseek-ai-chatbot-is-illegal-over-data-transfers [4] https://www.wsj.com/articles/deepseek-ai-chatbot-banned-from-u-s-government-devices-over-data-security-concerns-11676411595 [5] https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/12/congress-proposes-ban-on-chinese-ai-models-used-by-federal-agencies-0001130501
- Recognizing the potential risk of unauthorized data access and espionage, the German data protection commissioner deemed DeepSeek's operations in Germany illegal due to the illegal transfer of user data to China.
- In light of similar actions by Italy and ongoing investigations in other EU countries, the United States' federal and state governments have banned DeepSeek on government-issued devices, and lawmakers have even proposed bills banning AI models developed in China from federal government agencies.
