Australia has become one of the first nations to officially ban DeepSeek AI services from all government systems and devices, citing national security concerns. The decision, announced by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke on Tuesday, reflects an assessment by the country’s intelligence agencies, which identified DeepSeek’s technology as an unacceptable risk to government security. Effective immediately, all DeepSeek products, applications, and services will be removed from Australian government systems.
Background of DeepSeek AI's Rise and Concerns
DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence startup founded in Hangzhou just 20 months ago, made headlines globally in January 2025 with the launch of a groundbreaking mobile app featuring a reasoning AI chatbot. The AI's unique capability to articulate its thought process and research before delivering a response made it an instant hit, propelling it to the top of global download charts. The technology suggested that high-level AI could be developed without the immense hardware investments typically required, which contributed to its widespread appeal.
However, the initial excitement surrounding DeepSeek quickly turned to skepticism as security concerns over the service arose. Governments and cybersecurity experts began scrutinizing the app, with several nations expressing concerns about the potential risks it posed to data privacy and national security.
Australia's Security Decision
Minister Burke emphasized that the Australian government's actions were driven solely by national security considerations, not the country of origin of the company. He clarified that Australia’s approach was “country-agnostic” and focused purely on the risk posed to Australian government systems and assets. The government’s move to block DeepSeek services follows a thorough threat assessment conducted by Australian intelligence agencies, which determined that the technology presented an unacceptable security risk.
While the ban applies to government systems, it does not extend to personal devices used by Australian citizens. However, the government has encouraged individuals to carefully evaluate the online privacy guidelines and risks associated with DeepSeek before using the app on their personal phones. Minister Murray Watt suggested that Australians may want to reflect on the government's decision when considering using DeepSeek on their personal devices.
Global Response to DeepSeek AI
Australia is not alone in its concern over DeepSeek’s security implications. Italy's privacy regulator has ordered the app to be blocked to protect consumer data, while Ireland's Data Protection Commission has requested additional information from the company. Numerous private companies worldwide have also preemptively blocked access to DeepSeek, citing potential risks to their cybersecurity.
The actions taken against DeepSeek follow a broader global trend of heightened scrutiny towards Chinese technology companies due to security fears. In 2018, Australia gained international attention when it banned Chinese networking giant Huawei from its 5G systems, citing similar security concerns. This decision led to a diplomatic rift between Australia and China, resulting in trade sanctions on Australian exports during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, since the election of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in May 2022, relations between Australia and China have been slowly improving.
Looking Ahead
With DeepSeek’s technology now facing restrictions in multiple countries, the future of the AI startup remains uncertain. While the app has garnered attention for its innovation, the global scrutiny over its security features may limit its growth and access in certain regions. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, the regulatory actions against companies like DeepSeek could shape future policies on cybersecurity and the development of artificial intelligence technologies worldwide.