Several governments, including the United States, Taiwan, and Australia, have banned the use of China’s AI software DeepSeek on official devices, citing concerns over data privacy and censorship.
Analysts argue that the ban is justified, as tests indicate DeepSeek collects excessive user data and aggressively filters sensitive topics, enforcing Chinese government narratives even more strictly than Baidu and WeChat. This has raised fears that the AI tool could serve as a means of controlling speech and shaping public opinion beyond China’s borders.
Western security experts warn that DeepSeek’s capabilities could be leveraged for disinformation campaigns and cyber surveillance, further escalating tensions between Beijing and countries that oppose its digital influence.
The bans reflect growing international scrutiny of China’s AI expansion, as concerns mount over its potential role in state-sponsored propaganda and geopolitical influence operations.
