February 2, 2025 - Taiwan has taken significant action to safeguard its national security by banning the use of DeepSeek AI services across government ministries and public institutions. This move, announced by Taiwan's Ministry of Digital Affairs, resonates with growing global concerns surrounding the risks associated with foreign technology, especially from China.
On February 1, Taiwan's Digital Ministry laid bare the state’s apprehensions, asserting, "DeepSeek AI service is a Chinese product; its operation involves cross-border transmission and information leakage and other information security concerns." The ministry emphasized the potential risks of data leaks to the Chinese government, warning, "Data could be leaked to the Chinese government." This prohibition is rooted deeply within the Executive Yuan regulation established back in 2019, which restricts government entities from using products seen as threats to national cybersecurity.
The tightening grip on DeepSeek doesn't end with Taiwan. On the same day, Italy's data protection authority, Garante, also blocked the use of DeepSeek-R1, its powerful chatbot, citing concerns over user data opacity. Garante articulated the urgency of their actions by noting, "They do not operate in Italy and European legislation does not apply to them," pointing to the convoluted regulatory environment surrounding foreign tech companies.
Such actions are indicative of international scrutiny faced by DeepSeek, with countries like South Korea, Germany, and the UK initiating their investigations. The Personal Information Protection Commission of South Korea is poised to send inquiries to DeepSeek, corroborated by reports of its serious data handling practices amid whispers of potential risks associated with user privacy.
The fear surrounding DeepSeek's technology stems from longstanding anxieties about Chinese technology firms. Since 2019, Taiwan has accused Beijing of hybrid attacks involving cyberthreats and propaganda campaigns. With increasing skepticism, authorities from Germany and Italy have begun tightening their regulations, asserting concerns ranging from potential data leaks to intrusive access to personal information, pointing to stringent regulations yet to be fully reconciled with the tech reality.
Analysts have noted the rising impact of DeepSeek’s advanced capabilities, particularly with its new AI chatbot, which reportedly matches those of leading American companies but at much lower costs. This has caused tremors not only on stock markets, but also raised alarms within national security circles, chiefly within the United States. Reportedly, some employees from the US Department of Defense tested DeepSeek for several days before the Pentagon began blocking its use across various networks. This was echoed by the US Navy, which prohibited access to R1 due to security and ethical reservations.
While the hype around DeepSeek is palpable, so too is the consequential response by governments globally. An official investigation launched by the Italian authority reviews how DeepSeek processes data from Italian users, emphasizing the necessity of ensuring thorough cybersecurity protocols. The contradiction lies deep within the technology itself—which functions seamlessly across borders but raises questions of privacy and safety.
DeepSeek's operational base sits within Chinese boundaries, and its privacy policy reveals extensive access to user data, documenting everything from keystrokes to chat histories. Laws governing technology firms operating within China mandate cooperation with the state intelligence services, leaving many users wary. With reports surfacing about these practices, concerns are justifiably well-placed as governments tread cautiously.
The global community appears to respond differently to these harrowing revelations, with varying approaches to regulation and oversight over foreign technology firms. Some countries have implemented outright bans, others surgical investigations, yet all share hesitancy toward unbridled trust of technology hailing from Chinese firms. The stark divide epitomizes the conjunction of national security with technology usage scrutiny.
DeepSeek is but one example within the expansive domain of AI technologies at risk of geopolitical struggle reflection, where companies, nations, and ideologies collide. The light cast upon DeepSeek by international inquiries signals just the beginning of widespread discussions on how nations grapple with the intertwining of digital innovation and political sovereignty. With these circumstances steadily intensifying, one can't help but reflect on how future governance and policies will evolve to meet rising technological challenges.