Vinit Utpal
The DeepSeek, a Chinese AI has been banned by several countries such as the US, Australia, Italy, South Korea and Taiwan due to security concerns has sparked global discourse. The ban follows fears over data security with concerns that the Chinese government could access sensitive information stored in China. According to DeepSeek’s Privacy Policy, “When you use our Services, we may collect your text or audio input, prompts, uploaded files, feedback, chat history or other content that you provide to our model and Services.” DeepSeek also stated, “The personal information we collect from you may be stored on a server located outside the country where you live. We store the information we collect in secure servers located in the People’s Republic of China.”
In January, DeepSeek released the latest version of its program, DeepSeek R1. Within a month, New York State became the first US state to ban the app, citing national security risks. This ban triggered broader international scrutiny as other nations including Italy, Taiwan, Australia, South Korea and others followed suit. Some countries have restricted the use of this app in sensitive departments. In India, the Ministry of Finance banned DeepSeek for its employees joining several other government agencies worldwide. The Delhi High Court also observed that artificial intelligence (AI) is a “dangerous tool” in anyone’s hands, whether Chinese or American. The court’s observation came while hearing a petition seeking a directive to block access to DeepSeek, which provides its services free of charge in India.
Most countries blocking DeepSeek programs cite security risks posed by the Chinese application. They also express concerns about how user data will be stored or used. While major tech companies like Meta and Google also exploit user data to some extent, they typically use it for targeted advertising, algorithmic refinement and AI training. These companies have faced several legal cases regarding privacy breaches in different countries, but they regulate within each country’s jurisdiction. In the case of DeepSeek, the app is viewed differently by the West, as it is seen as operating under Chinese government jurisdiction. There are global fears that the data collected by Chinese platforms could be used for espionage, influence operations or surveillance.
It is also said that the Western tech companies are often considered problematic yet fixable through regulation, Chinese companies are seen as direct security threats requiring outright bans.
One primary reason government agencies have prohibited DeepSeek is the potential for national security violations and unauthorized data collection. Security experts have also raised concerns that DeepSeek may have hidden mechanisms that enable it to collect and send sensitive user information to Chinese entities. The AI system is said to collect various types of data, including IP addresses, conversation records and metadata. While data gathering is common among AI chatbots, the concern with DeepSeek is where this information is stored and who may have access. China’s cyber security regulations mandate that businesses operating in the nation assist government agencies when requested. This means that if DeepSeek stores information on Chinese servers, it would be accessible to state agencies raising red flags for most governments, especially in democratic nations where user privacy is a top priority.
Many governments are reluctant to allow DeepSeek access to official devices, fearing that this could open sensitive information to foreign surveillance or cyber espionage.
Aside from data collection issues, there is also the risk of adversarial attacks. AI chatbots can be manipulated or hacked to present inaccurate information, potentially compromising government processes. Official functions that utilize AI-generated content could be vulnerable to external manipulation, further raising concerns about misinformation and security breaches.
Another significant issue surrounding DeepSeek is its content moderation practices. Several reports indicate that the AI chatbot either sidesteps or alters responses to politically sensitive questions. DeepSeek’s actions have raised concerns about the use of AI to influence public opinion and control the flow of information.
For example, when asked about the country to which the state of Arunachal Pradesh belongs, DeepSeek declined to answer, stating, “That is beyond my current scope. Let’s talk about something else.”
Similarly, when questioned about the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, DeepSeek either declined to answer or provided responses that aligned with the Chinese government’s official narrative. Issues related to Taiwan’s political status, human rights violations against the Uyghur population or the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement are often censored or framed in support of the Communist Party of China (CCP) positions.
This level of content moderation has led critics to accuse DeepSeek of being a potential propaganda tool.
The capacity of AI to influence public opinion makes it especially dangerous when used in government contexts. If politicians or officials base decisions on biased or censored AI-generated content, it could lead to flawed decision-making.
Governments banning DeepSeek argue that AI software must be balanced and fact-based not designed to promote a particular political agenda. Using AI models in public institutions may lead to the inadvertent spread of misinformation, which could undermine democratic values like free speech and access to truthful information.
The widespread bans on DeepSeek by governments and sensitive departments highlight the need for global AI regulation. Such regulations directly impact data privacy and national security. While AI is incredibly useful for solving many societal challenges, it also has the potential to spread harmful content and this cannot be ignored.
In this context, there is a need for strict laws and regulations regarding foreign AI to ensure the security and integrity of India and the better future of society.
(The author is an Assistant Professor in Digital Media at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Jammu)
