The Australian federal government has announced a ban on the popular DeepSeek chatbot AI on all government devices.
The ban was signed into effect by the secretary of the Department of Home Affairs on 4 February after receiving advice from intelligence agencies that the app could represent a national security risk.
Government entities will be required to confirm that DeepSeek has been removed from all relevant devices and ensure that it is not reinstalled.
“The Albanese government is taking swift and decisive action to protect Australia’s national security and national interest,” Tony Burke, the Minister for Home Affairs, said.
“AI is a technology full of potential and opportunity – but the government will not hesitate to act when our agencies identify a national security risk.”
However, Burke added that DeepSeek’s country of origin – China – was not the direct cause of concern. Rather, it was the wider risk the chatbot posed to government assets.