Chinese start-up DeepSeek has sparked both excitement and concern in the AI world. Its latest AI model, DeepSeek-R1, launched just weeks ago, but several governments have already banned it due to security and safety issues.
Research has raised red flags about cybersecurity risks, with DeepSeek-R1 reportedly capable of generating harmful and biased content.
Since DeepSeek is a Chinese company, its operations are subject to Chinese laws, which allow intelligence agencies to access data shared on mobile and web apps. This has fueled national security concerns worldwide.
Here’s a look at the countries that have banned DeepSeek-R1 and those currently investigating it.
Countries That Have Banned DeepSeek-R1
Taiwan
Taiwan recently banned its government agencies from using DeepSeek’s AI model, citing security risks.
The country has long been cautious about Chinese technology due to Beijing’s claims over Taiwan.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs stated that DeepSeek “endangers national information security” and warned government agencies and critical infrastructure to avoid using it.
The ministry expressed concerns about data leaks and cross-border transmissions, making DeepSeek a national security threat.
United States
Although there’s no nationwide ban in the U.S., Texas became the first state to prohibit DeepSeek on government-issued devices.
“Texas will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate our state’s critical infrastructure through data-harvesting AI and social media apps,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott on January 31.
Texas has also banned Chinese-owned social media apps like Xiaohongshu (RedNote) and Lemon8 from state-issued devices.
The U.S. Navy has followed suit, instructing its members not to use DeepSeek for work-related or personal tasks due to security and ethical concerns.
According to CNBC, NASA has also restricted its employees from using DeepSeek, blocking access to the AI tool on government devices and networks.
Italy
Italy was the first country to block DeepSeek, issuing a ban on January 30.
The country’s data protection authority ordered the Chinese companies behind DeepSeek, Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence, and Beijing DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence, to stop processing Italian users’ data.
The ban came after DeepSeek refused to cooperate with an official request for information.
Italian regulators stated that despite operating in the region, DeepSeek claimed it was not bound by European data protection laws.
As a result, Italy launched a formal investigation into the company.
Countries Investigating DeepSeek
Authorities in Belgium, Ireland, France, and South Korea have started inquiries into DeepSeek’s handling of user data.
These countries are seeking clarity on how personal information is stored, shared, and protected.
With global concerns mounting, it remains to be seen how many more nations will take action against DeepSeek’s AI technology.
As governments tighten security measures, the future of DeepSeek’s AI models outside China is becoming increasingly uncertain.
