Top university bans Chinese AI app DeepSeek, another ‘strongly encourages’ staff not to use it

Australia’s top research universities have blocked Chinese artificial intelligence app DeepSeek from its networks and devices, are considering a ban, or have ‘strongly encouraged’ staff to avoid using the app due to data security concerns.

Go8 universities have blocked or are considering bans of Chinese AI app DeepSeek following an assessment by Australian intelligence agencies that the software poses an ‘unacceptable risk’ to national security. Picture: Leon Neal/Getty Images

The nation’s top research universities have blocked Chinese artificial intelligence app DeepSeek from their networks and devices, are considering a ban or have “strongly encouraged” staff to avoid using the app because of data security concerns.

The moves come after the app was banned from Australian government systems and devices following an assessment by intelligence agencies that the software posed an “unacceptable risk” to national security.

The University of Adelaide has blocked all domains and subdomains of deepseek.com, preventing users from accessing the platform within the university network, while the University of NSW has advised staff not to use the app and to follow government recommendations.

The Australian understands other Group of Eight universities, which account for 70 per cent of Australia’s university-based research, are reviewing their policies and exploring a ban of DeepSeek, which can be complicated because of staff and students using privately owned devices.

A University of Adelaide spokesman said it was taking an approach similar to that of the Australian government.

“The University of Adelaide is committed to ensuring data privacy and protection. As a precautionary measure the university has restricted the use of DeepSeek on university-issued devices and networks, similar to the approach determined by the Australian and South Australian governments,” the spokesman said.

“The university will continue to monitor DeepSeek’s development closely, reflecting our practice of reviewing and adapting technology usage.”

Ironically, one of the software engineers who helped to develop DeepSeek, Zizheng Pan, completed a masters in computer science at the University of Adelaide in 2020 and a PhD in the same discipline in 2024 at Monash University, where he focused on machine learning systems.

In a statement, UNSW said it “advises staff to never input university data into unapproved AI tools and to only use UNSW-approved AI tools” to ensure the safety of UNSW data and systems.

The DeepSeek app has been banned from Australian government devices. Picture: Leon Neal/Getty Images

“Consistent with this advice, we strongly encourage staff to avoid using DeepSeek AI,” a spokeswoman said.

“This is also in line with the Australian government directive preventing the use and installation of DeepSeek products, applications and web services on government devices. This has been communicated to the UNSW community via direct email and on the university’s website.”

The Australian understands other Go8 universities are encouraging staff and students to use Copilot, a Microsoft AI tool, and avoid platforms such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek, as well as exploring bans of the app and ramping up education and awareness. In 2024 the University of Sydney provided all students free access to Copilot.

Go8 chief executive Vicki Thomson said the research universities “are 100 per cent committed to protecting sensitive research and data, and will continue to update policies and procedures to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of technology and artificial intelligence”.

“We are committed to the ethical and responsible use of generative AI and to preparing our students, researchers and staff to be leaders in an increasingly AI-enabled world,” Ms Thomson said.

Last week DeepSeek was banned from government devices following the release of risk and threat information from national security and intelligence agencies.

The move, set in motion by a Home Affairs protective ­security order, is similar to the government ban on TikTok on official devices.

Federal entities have been directed to remove DeepSeek from their hardware, prevent access to the app and report compliance with the order to Home Affairs. “DeepSeek poses an unacceptable risk to Australian government technology,” the government said.