DeepSeek: Australia bans the use of Chinese application on all government devices

The ban on Chinese application to all government devices went on Tuesday (04.02.2025), citing reasons for concern about national security. Australia blocked the government use of DeepSeek – the chatbot of the new Chinese company specializing in Artificial Intelligence, but allows individuals to use it. CORVERSE The secretary of the Australian Ministry of Interior, sent a mandatory directive to all government agencies to “do not use or install DeepSeek’s products, applications and online services and if they detect any of them to uninstall all of these products, applications and its online services from all Australian government systems and devices”, he stresses the relevant announcement. Interior Minister Tony Burke said DeepSeek poses a “unallowed risk” to government technology and the immediate ban is done “to protect Australia’s national security and national interest”, they broadcast Australian media. The ban does not concern private devices. The Chinese DeepSeek startup caused Wall Street panic in late January, placing on the market its new powerful chatbot (ed.: computer program designed to simulate human conversation), which developed with just a small share of the cost of its competitors. The successful release of the application raised questions and doubts about the vast Western investment in chip manufacturers and data centers. Australia’s decision to ban DeepSeek follows a similar move by the Italian government, while other countries in Europe and elsewhere are also considering taking measures against DeepSeek. Taiwan banned its ministries from using DeepSeek this week. The Australian Prime Minister’s government, Anthony Albanese imposed a similar ban on also Chinese TikTok two years ago, citing, and in that case, security reasons.