Czech authorities have prohibited the AI chatbot Deepseek from operation.
In a series of recent moves, several countries and federal agencies have imposed bans or restrictions on DeepSeek, a Chinese AI chatbot, due to growing concerns over data protection and national security risks.
One of the primary issues revolves around data protection. DeepSeek has been accused of violating privacy laws by transferring user data to China, which is considered unlawful by European authorities. This transfer, coupled with Chinese law requiring companies to cooperate with state intelligence agencies, raises the spectre of unauthorized access to user data.
Moreover, DeepSeek has shown a lack of transparency and cooperation when it comes to disclosing its data collection practices. This lack of transparency led to a ban on its services in Italy.
National security risks associated with DeepSeek are also a cause for concern. The chatbot's susceptibility to generating harmful and biased content, as well as its potential vulnerability to cyber attacks, could compromise sensitive information and pose a threat to national security. Furthermore, as a Chinese company, DeepSeek is subject to Chinese laws that may require it to share data with state authorities, leading to fears about the potential misuse of user data for espionage or other malicious purposes.
Countries taking action against DeepSeek include Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, the United States, Australia, and South Korea. In Italy, the app was banned from app stores in January 2025 due to privacy concerns. Germany's data protection officials have called for DeepSeek to be blocked from German app stores due to privacy violations. The Czech Republic has banned the use of DeepSeek in state institutions and agencies, a decision made to strengthen the country's cybersecurity.
The United States has initiated a national security review, with the Navy banning its use due to security and ethical concerns. In the U.S., several federal agencies, including NASA and the Department of Defense, have prohibited their employees from using the DeepSeek app. Australia and Taiwan have also banned DeepSeek on government devices. South Korea has opened an inquiry into DeepSeek's use of personal information and suspended new downloads due to risks of data misuse.
These actions reflect a widespread concern about the potential risks associated with using DeepSeek and similar Chinese AI technologies. The concern justifying the ban is that the Chinese government could gain access to sensitive data if it is stored and processed on servers in China.
In light of these bans, it's clear that the issues surrounding DeepSeek are not limited to a single country or region. As AI technology continues to evolve, it's crucial that data protection and national security concerns are addressed to ensure the safety and privacy of users worldwide.
The prohibition of DeepSeek in various countries and federal agencies is a response to concerns about its cybersecurity and artificial-intelligence capabilities. This is due to the fear that its susceptibility to generating biased content and potential vulnerability to cyber attacks could compromise sensitive data, posing a threat to national security and violating user privacy laws. Furthermore, the lack of transparency and disclosure about its data collection practices has led to bans on its services in some regions, particularly Italian app stores.
