Taiwan Bans Government Use of Chinese AI, DeepSeek

Taiwan has banned the use of DeepSeek in government departments due to growing security concerns. This follows a similar decision by the U.S. to restrict the Chinese AI use in the government. While national security risks are cited as the reason, could there be more behind this decision?

Why Taiwan is Taking Action Against DeepSeek

Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs explained that the ban is due to risks associated with DeepSeek’s cross-border data transmission. The service’s operation, involving data sent outside the country, is seen as a potential threat to Taiwan’s information security. 

The ministry’s statement made it clear: “DeepSeek’s AI service is a Chinese product, and its operation involves cross-border transmission and information leakage, which jeopardizes the country’s security.”

Taiwan’s Long-standing Caution Around Chinese Technology

Taiwan has long been cautious of Chinese technology, mainly due to the political tension and Beijing’s claims over the self-governed island. This concern is not new. There are risks in the tech space and Taiwan continues to monitor new technologies to ensure the country’s security isn’t compromised. 

The government remains vigilant about products that could potentially pose threats, and this ban on DeepSeek is just the latest move to protect national interests.

International Scrutiny of DeepSeek’s Data Practices

Taiwan’s ban on DeepSeek is just one part of a larger international conversation. South Korea has also announced plans to investigate how the company handles user data, and regulators in countries like France, Italy, and Ireland are looking into its data practices. 

DeepSeek is finding itself under growing pressure to address concerns over how it operates with privacy and data security under a global microscope. 

DeepSeek’s Surging Popularity

Despite these mounting challenges, DeepSeek’s AI assistant is gaining significant traction. By Monday, the free AI chatbot had surpassed OpenAI’s ChatGPT in downloads on the Apple App Store. This rise in popularity came at a time when U.S. tech stocks saw a massive sell-off, with chipmaker Nvidia experiencing a $593 billion loss in market value in just one day.

Though regulatory pressure is building, DeepSeek’s success highlights a disconnect between rising concerns about data security and the increasing demand for its technology. With its rapid rise, it’s clear that the debate over DeepSeek and its impact on national security is far from over.