- Several governments have blocked DeepSeek due to security and data management risks, initiating measures at the Pentagon.
- Italy and European authorities denounced a lack of transparency and possible breaches of the GDPR, ordering blocks and requesting information.
- South Korea, Australia, and other countries restricted or banned its use in ministries and official devices due to the risk of leaks.
- OpenAI launched ChatGPT Gov as a secure alternative for agencies, while DeepSeek remains popular among individual users; its future remains uncertain.
DeepSeek, the Chinese open-source AI, has sparked a chain reaction in multiple countries, with restrictions and blocks imposed by government institutions. Its use has been banned by various security and defense agencies due to growing concerns about data management and potential national security risks.
The United States has taken the lead in imposing restrictions . The Pentagon blocked access to DeepSeek after discovering that Department of Defense employees were using the platform by connecting to Chinese servers. The Navy and Air Force also issued strict bans on its use.
Global expansion of the blockade
Beyond the United States, other governments have followed suit . Italy was one of the first countries to ban DeepSeek, citing a lack of transparency in the collection of personal data and a violation of European data protection regulations. The Italian Data Protection Authority, after receiving insufficient responses from the Chinese company, ordered an immediate block.
In the United States Congress, lawmakers have promoted a bill to ban the use of DeepSeek on government equipment , arguing that the AI poses a potential threat. According to some investigations, the platform may be collecting sensitive information and redirecting it to entities linked to the Chinese government.
Other countries on alert
The block is not limited to the Americas and Europe . In Asia, South Korea has restricted access to DeepSeek in several ministries, including the Ministries of Defense, Trade, and Finance. South Korean authorities argue that DeepSeek's data storage system, being located in China, could pose a risk of leaking confidential information.
In Australia, the government completely banned the use of DeepSeek on official devices , citing cybersecurity concerns. All government agencies were ordered to remove the application from their systems and block its future installation.
The Netherlands has issued warnings about the risks of entering personal data into DeepSeek and has urged citizens to be cautious. Ireland and Belgium have requested information from the Chinese company to understand how European users' data is managed and stored.
Alternatives and future
In response to the growing expansion of DeepSeek, OpenAI has developed a government alternative designed to offer a more secure option for state agencies. ChatGPT.gov has been designed with enhanced security measures and following artificial intelligence parameters to protect the strategic information of governments and public entities.
Despite the restrictions, DeepSeek has continued to gain popularity among individual users, standing out for its advanced natural language processing capabilities and for offering more affordable access compared to other AI . However, the shadow of government surveillance and data collection continues to generate controversy.
The ongoing bans and investigations demonstrate how digital security and artificial intelligence have become a strategic battleground. With multiple governments reassessing their policies regarding the use of foreign AI, the future of DeepSeek remains uncertain . Restrictions continue to expand, and other countries are likely to adopt similar measures in the coming months.
