Australia’s government has made a significant decision to prohibit the use of the DeepSeek AI chatbot on all government devices, following advice from security agencies regarding potential privacy and malware risks. This bold move follows recent actions taken by other countries, raising alarms over the rapid advancement of AI technologies originating from China.
Privacy and Security Risks
The DeepSeek chatbot, developed by a startup based in China, has reportedly disrupted financial markets since its release last month. Concerns regarding its security practices have prompted Australia to act decisively. Andrew Charlton, the government’s cybersecurity envoy, emphasised that the ban is not merely symbolic, stressing the need to protect government systems from exposure to such applications.
- Malware Exposure: The government warns that using DeepSeek might lead to the potential infiltration of malware.
- Data Privacy: There are serious doubts about whether user data is kept private once uploaded to the application.
Directive from Home Affairs
As of 5 February 2024, the Department of Home Affairs has issued a directive mandating that all non-corporate Commonwealth entities must remove any existing DeepSeek products from their devices. Secretary Stephanie Foster highlighted that using these applications poses an unacceptable security risk.
Bipartisan Support
This decision has garnered bipartisan support across political lines. Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has urged the public to contemplate the potential risks of DeepSeek on personal devices as well.
International Concerns
Australia’s ban on DeepSeek mirrors actions by several nations, including South Korea, Italy, and France, which have raised flags about the application’s data practices. The AI landscape is shifting rapidly, and some experts believe DeepSeek has reverse-engineered technology from leading US firms, igniting concern in Silicon Valley.
Historical Context
Historically, Australia has imposed similar bans, including the exclusion of Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei from its 5G network in 2018 due to national security worries. TikTok faced a similar fate in 2023 when Australian intelligence agencies advised against its use on government devices.
The ongoing geopolitical tensions between China and Australia stem from various issues, including trade wars and concerns regarding foreign influence operations. Despite some improvements in bilateral relations late last year, such as lifting bans on Australian rock lobsters, the recent actions signal a cautious approach towards emerging technologies with potential security implications.