Canberra – The Australian government has officially banned China’s DeepSeek AI program from all government devices, citing national security concerns. The move comes amid growing global scrutiny over Chinese-developed artificial intelligence tools and their potential risks in sensitive sectors.
The ban, announced by officials on Tuesday, aligns with Australia’s broader cybersecurity policies aimed at safeguarding government data from potential foreign interference. Authorities expressed concerns that DeepSeek AI, a program designed for advanced language processing and data analysis, could pose security vulnerabilities, particularly in handling sensitive government communications.
“Australia remains committed to protecting its digital infrastructure from any potential threats. This decision is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure cybersecurity across all government operations,” said an Australian cybersecurity spokesperson.
The restriction follows similar actions taken by other Western nations against Chinese tech firms and AI programs. The United States and several European countries have also raised alarms about data privacy risks associated with Chinese technology.
China, however, has repeatedly denied allegations of data misuse, insisting that its AI technologies adhere to strict privacy standards. Despite this, Australia’s decision signals an increasingly cautious stance toward foreign tech influence, especially from China, in critical government systems.
The Australian government has urged public sector employees to remove DeepSeek AI from their devices immediately and warned against its use in any official capacity. Further cybersecurity reviews are expected as authorities continue to assess the risks posed by foreign-developed AI tools.
