Countries That Have Banned DeepSeek’s AI
Italy
Italy was among the first nations to ban DeepSeek’s AI, citing privacy concerns. The country's Data Protection Agency (DPA) launched an investigation following a complaint by the consumer advocacy group Euroconsumers. Consequently, DeepSeek’s chatbot disappeared from app stores in Italy.
Taiwan
The Taiwanese government has taken stringent measures against DeepSeek, labelling it a risk to national information security. Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs has prohibited government agencies, state-owned enterprises, and public schools from using DeepSeek’s technology, citing risks of cross-border data transmission and potential data leaks.
Australia
Australia has issued a blanket ban on DeepSeek AI for government workers. The Department of Home Affairs has directed all government entities to prevent the installation or use of DeepSeek applications and web services. However, private citizens remain unaffected by this restriction.
Government Agencies That Have Banned DeepSeek’s AI
Union Finance Ministry (India)
The Indian Finance Ministry has issued a strict advisory against the use of AI tools such as DeepSeek and ChatGPT due to concerns over data confidentiality. Employees have been instructed not to use these AI models on office computers or devices.
US Congress
US Congress has advised its members and staff against using DeepSeek’s AI, citing cybersecurity threats. A notice issued by the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives warned that hackers are exploiting DeepSeek to spread malware, leading to its restriction on all House-issued devices.
US Navy
The US Navy has prohibited its personnel from using DeepSeek AI for any work-related or personal tasks. In an internal email, the Navy highlighted concerns over the security and ethical implications of using AI technologies linked to China.
Pentagon
The US Department of Defense has blocked access to DeepSeek AI since early 2025, following concerns that Pentagon employees were using the application without authorization. However, access to DeepSeek AI remains possible through an approved platform called Ask Sage, which ensures data is stored in servers outside of China.
NASA
NASA has explicitly barred its employees from accessing DeepSeek’s AI via government-issued devices and networks. According to an internal memo, DeepSeek’s products and services are unauthorized for use with NASA’s sensitive data and communications.
Texas State Government
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued a directive banning AI software from DeepSeek and other Chinese firms on state government devices. The order is part of Texas' broader cybersecurity strategy to prevent potential foreign data harvesting.
The Challenges of Banning DeepSeek AI
Despite bans from several governments and agencies, completely restricting DeepSeek’s influence remains complex.
Local Hosting Workarounds
The Indian government has explored ways to host DeepSeek’s AI models on local servers to mitigate data privacy concerns.
Alternative Access Points
Users wary of DeepSeek’s privacy policies can run its open-source AI models locally on their hardware.
Services like Perplexity allow users to access DeepSeek AI while ensuring data storage occurs in US and European servers.
Detection Challenges
Some experts argue that tracking DeepSeek’s data collection methods is challenging. If the company has leveraged existing AI models like OpenAI's ChatGPT for improvements, detecting minor data transfers is difficult due to high user traffic.
DeepSeek’s rapid growth has positioned it as a global AI powerhouse, but its ties to China have raised serious privacy and security concerns. While several countries and agencies have enacted bans, the complexities of AI infrastructure make it difficult to fully enforce restrictions. As governments continue to assess the risks of foreign AI technologies, it remains to be seen how DeepSeek will navigate increasing scrutiny and regulatory barriers.
Also Read: India Budget 2025: Which Neighbors Got Aid and Why? Find Out Now
About the Author:
Akanksha Sinha
I'm Akanksha Sinha, an expert in writing sports blogs, news, and various articles for entertainment and more. I bring a unique flair to my work, providing insightful perspectives on the world of sports.
My articles aim to inform and entertain, making me a go-to source for sports enthusiasts seeking a blend of information and enjoyment. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, I consistently deliver compelling narratives that resonate with a diverse audience.