Countries that have banned DeepSeek so far

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, made global headlines when its chatbot app and AI models went viral. But just as quickly as it gained popularity, it has come under intense scrutiny from regulators worldwide. Concerns over data privacy, national security, and the potential risks of sharing user information with Chinese intelligence agencies have led multiple countries to ban its use—particularly in government institutions. Below are is a list of countries that have said no to DeepSeek:

Italy: The First to Act

Italy was among the first countries to ban DeepSeek’s AI. Its national data protection authority launched an investigation into the company’s data handling practices, demanding transparency. The chatbot app vanished from Italian app stores after Euroconsumers, a coalition of consumer rights groups, raised alarms over potential data misuse.

Taiwan: A National Security Threat

Taiwan took swift action, calling DeepSeek a danger to national information security. The Ministry of Digital Affairs prohibited government agencies, public sector employees, and critical infrastructure organizations—including public schools and state-owned enterprises—from using the AI app. The government feared that using DeepSeek’s technology could lead to cross-border information leaks.

United States: Blocking DeepSeek Across Federal Agencies

The US government has taken a strong stance against DeepSeek, with multiple federal agencies banning its use due to security concerns:

US Congress: A notice from the chief administrative officer of the US House of Representatives warned that “threat actors are already exploiting DeepSeek” to install malicious software. House-issued devices have restricted access to the app.

US Navy: An internal email banned the use of DeepSeek in any capacity, citing security and ethical concerns.

Pentagon: DeepSeek has been blocked from Pentagon networks since January after defense officials raised concerns about unauthorized use.

NASA: The space agency explicitly barred employees from accessing DeepSeek on government networks and devices.

Texas: Governor Greg Abbott ordered a statewide ban on DeepSeek for government-issued devices, stating that Texas “will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate our state’s critical infrastructure.”

Australia: The Latest to Join the Ban

Following the US, Italy, and Taiwan, Australia recently prohibited DeepSeek on all government devices. The Department of Home Affairs mandated the removal of all instances of DeepSeek applications, citing an “unacceptable risk” to national security. Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke emphasized that the ban is limited to government entities, allowing private citizens to continue using the app.

Why DeepSeek’s Data Practices Are Raising Red Flags

DeepSeek’s privacy policy states that all collected user data is stored on secure servers in China. However, Chinese law requires companies to provide data to the government upon request. This raises concerns among privacy advocates and security experts, particularly in Western countries wary of foreign surveillance.

Additionally, DeepSeek’s AI technology has been linked to cybersecurity risks. Reports indicate that cybercriminals may be leveraging the platform for malicious activities, prompting enterprise cybersecurity firms like Netskope and Armis to block access.

A Workaround? The Case of India

Despite global concerns, some countries are exploring alternative ways to use DeepSeek’s AI models while mitigating privacy risks. In India, the government is considering hosting DeepSeek’s open-source AI models on local servers. “Data privacy issues regarding DeepSeek can be addressed by hosting open-source models on Indian servers,” said India’s Union Minister of Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Why Banning DeepSeek Is Not as Simple as It Seems

While many countries have restricted DeepSeek on government networks, banning it outright is challenging. Users who want to maintain privacy can still download DeepSeek’s AI models and run them locally, preventing data from reaching Chinese servers.

Moreover, DeepSeek’s AI models are reportedly cheaper and less hardware-intensive than those of competitors like OpenAI. This has sparked debates about whether banning the app is truly about security or also about economic competition in the AI industry.

More Countries May Follow

Italy and Australia may not be the last to block DeepSeek. Several European nations—including Ireland, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands—have raised concerns about its data practices. Meanwhile, US officials continue to assess the risks posed by DeepSeek’s AI capabilities.

With growing fears of data privacy breaches and potential government surveillance, more bans could be on the horizon. The battle over AI security is just beginning, and DeepSeek’s global future remains uncertain.