Czech authorities issue prohibition on AI chatbot Deepseek
The AI chatbot DeepSeek, developed by an unspecified Chinese company, has been the subject of a series of bans in various countries and federal agencies due to data privacy and cybersecurity concerns.
The primary reasons for these bans are the potential risks of unauthorized access to user data and the possible violation of data protection laws. Authorities in countries like the Czech Republic and Germany warn that DeepSeek could allow unauthorized access to users' data because the company behind it is legally obliged to cooperate with Chinese state authorities. This raises fears that the data could be accessed or surveilled by the Chinese government.
German data protection officials declared DeepSeek "unlawful" for transferring user data to China, which they deemed a violation of European Union data protection regulations (such as GDPR). This led to calls for Apple and Google to block DeepSeek from their app stores in Germany, following Italy's earlier ban for similar reasons.
Several countries also see DeepSeek as a potential threat to national security because of data privacy risks tied to Chinese government access. This concern is in line with previous bans on Chinese tech companies like Huawei and ZTE due to national security fears.
Reports highlight that DeepSeek processes user data on servers that are not fully transparent, increasing worries about surveillance, tracking, and potential data leaks.
The bans target the risk that user data collected by DeepSeek may be routed to and accessed by Chinese state authorities without adequate safeguards, posing threats to privacy and national security. These concerns have led multiple EU countries (such as Germany, Italy, and the Czech Republic) and other governments to prohibit DeepSeek’s use on official platforms or within public administration.
The Czech Republic, for instance, has recently banned the use of DeepSeek in government agencies and institutions. Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced the ban following a cabinet meeting in Prague. The ban does not affect the use of DeepSeek in private sectors or individual households.
Similarly, Australia, Taiwan, and several US states, including Texas, have also imposed bans on DeepSeek on government devices. Furthermore, several federal agencies in the US, including NASA and the Department of Defense, have prohibited their employees from using the DeepSeek app.
These bans mark a significant step towards bolstering the cybersecurity of the countries involved, ensuring the protection of user data and maintaining national security. However, the details of the data that could potentially be at risk due to DeepSeek's use in government agencies are not specified.
- The concerns over DeepSeek's cybersecurity risks extend beyond Europe, as Australia, Taiwan, and several US states have also imposed bans on its use on government devices.
- The potential use of artificial-intelligence technology in DeepSeek has raised political concerns, particularly in relation to the Chinese government's access to user data, potentially compromising general-news and cybersecurity.
- The technology sector is under scrutiny as the bans on DeepSeek highlight the importance of data privacy and cybersecurity, illustrating the potential risks associated with the use of technology in politics and national security.
