In a move to safeguard the national security, Taiwan has followed the lead of the United States Navy and Congress in banning the use of the Chinese-developed artificial intelligence (AI) tool, DeepSeek, across all government departments. The decision, made public on Monday, follows concerns about potential data security risks and the possibility of sensitive information being accessed by the Chinese government.
According to Reuters, Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai announced the ban during a cabinet meeting, emphasizing that the move was necessary to protect the island’s information security. The warning against its use initially came from Taiwan’s digital ministry last Friday, which advised against its deployment in government offices, though it did not initially issue a full ban.
The AI tool, developed by the Chinese startup DeepSeek, has raised alarms worldwide due to its potential links to the Chinese government and its handling of personal data. Several countries, including South Korea, France, Italy, and Ireland, have already launched investigations into how DeepSeek processes personal data, with several nations expressing similar concerns over its potential for data leaks and censorship.
Taiwan, which has long been cautious about Chinese technology due to Beijing’s claims over the island’s sovereignty and ongoing military threats, has been particularly vigilant. The island’s security concerns have been exacerbated by China’s growing influence in global technology markets, which has prompted countries to reevaluate the use of Chinese-developed technology in both public and private sectors.
The US Navy and Congress had also raised alarms about DeepSeek, urging agencies to avoid using Chinese AI systems due to fears over data security and the potential for China to misuse sensitive information. The Taiwanese government’s decision to follow this trend aligns with broader global efforts to limit the influence of Chinese tech firms that could compromise national security.
