DeepSeek AI has been under scrutiny from multiple governments over its data privacy and protection policies. According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs:
“DeepSeek AI service is a Chinese product. Its operation involves cross-border transmission, and information leakage and other information security risk management concerns.”
Simply put, there’s a growing fear that personal information security could be at risk when using DeepSeek’s AI. Many security experts worry that the data collected by DeepSeek could be accessed by the Chinese government, as China’s laws require companies to share data with intelligence agencies if requested.
Taiwan isn’t the only one stepping up against DeepSeek. Here’s a list of other countries and agencies that have either banned or restricted the use of the AI platform due to cyber security threats:
Italy was among the first to block DeepSeek. The country’s Data Protection Authority (DPA) launched an investigation into how DeepSeek handles user data, questioning its compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). After failing to provide sufficient answers, DeepSeek was removed from the Apple and Google app stores in Italy.
U.S. congressional offices have been warned about DeepSeek’s potential risks. The House’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) alerted staff that DeepSeek is under review and that cyber security attacks linked to the platform are already being observed. As a precaution, DeepSeek’s functionality has been restricted on all House-issued devices.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has outright banned software from DeepSeek and other Chinese tech firms. He stated that Texas would not allow the Chinese Communist Party to gain access to the state's critical infrastructure through data security best practices violations.
The U.S. Navy has ordered service members not to use DeepSeek AI due to potential security concerns in AI. Similarly, the Pentagon has blocked access to DeepSeek’s website and applications after reports emerged that staff had been using the AI without authorisation.
NASA has also taken a strong stance, prohibiting employees from accessing DeepSeek’s AI on agency-managed devices and networks. A leaked memo from NASA’s Chief AI Officer explicitly mentioned database security best practices violations and cyber security risk management concerns.
DeepSeek AI’s rise in popularity has also made it a prime target for the latest cyber security threats. Reports suggest that the platform has faced multiple cyber security attacks, including large-scale distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. According to cybersecurity firm NSFOCUS, DeepSeek’s API interface was attacked between January 25-27, 2025, with hackers leveraging techniques like NTP reflection and memcached reflection attacks.
The Artificial Intelligence Act, which recently came into effect in the European Union (EU), now bans AI applications that pose an unacceptable risk to security. Meanwhile, the U.K. government has introduced a new AI Code of Practice to prevent hacking, data privacy in cyber security breaches, and AI manipulation techniques such as indirect prompt injection.
As cyber risks continue to grow, AI security will remain a major global concern. Whether you’re a business, government agency, or an individual user, following cyber security best practices is crucial to protecting your data and privacy. The bans on DeepSeek AI highlight the importance of cyber security risk management and ensuring that emerging AI technologies align with personal information security and ethical standards.
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