Seoul: South Korea and Australia have implemented bans on the use of the Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek within select government departments, citing concerns over security and technology competition. Access to DeepSeek has been restricted on computers connected to external networks in South Korea's foreign, trade, and defense ministries, as reported by Seoul-based Yonhap News.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Interior and Safety Ministry in South Korea issued a notice urging government agencies to exercise caution when sharing personal information through AI services. Additionally, major South Korean technology companies, including Kakao, Samsung Electronics, SK Group, and LG Electronics, have prohibited the use of DeepSeek for business purposes.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok highlighted DeepSeek as a "fresh shock," with potential implications for the global industrial landscape. He noted that the AI model DeepSeek R1, introduced by a Chinese company, promises high performance at low cost, intensifying global AI competition and affecting other software sectors. Choi called for swift governmental countermeasures following a thorough review of critical industries like semiconductors, batteries, automobiles, shipping, and steel.
In response, the South Korean government plans to establish a 34 trillion won ($23.4 billion) fund through the state-run Korea Development Bank to support advancements in cutting-edge technologies, including AI and semiconductors.
Meanwhile, in Australia, DeepSeek has been banned on all government devices and systems due to national security concerns. The Australian government has mandated the removal of DeepSeek from all government-issued devices as part of an immediate ban. This action follows risk assessments and threat information provided by Australia's intelligence agencies, which identified DeepSeek as posing an unacceptable risk to government technology.
Andrew Charlton, a government envoy, stated that DeepSeek represented an unacceptable risk to Australia's national security, prompting the government to take measures similar to other jurisdictions worldwide in banning the chatbot on government devices.