Chinese AI app DeepSeek banned on all Commonwealth computers and phones

The Chinese-owned AI app that caused a $1 trillion hit to prominent tech stocks has been banned on government devices over national security fears.

Chinese AI disrupter DeepSeek will be banned on all Commonwealth systems and devices after national security and intelligence agencies determined the app poses an “unacceptable risk” to government technologies.

All Commonwealth employees and departments have been ordered to immediately remove the application on government computers and mobiles, and confirm their completion to the Department of Home Affairs.

The mandatory directive was issued by Home Affairs secretary Stephanie Foster on national security grounds, using powers issued under the Protective Security Policy Framework.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the government was “taking swift and decisive action to protect Australia’s national security and national interest,” but distanced the move as an attack on China.

The federal government has banned Deepseek from all government platforms over concerns for national security. Picture: NewsWire/ Nikki Short

“AI is a technology full of potential and opportunity – but the government will not hesitate to act when our agencies identify a national security risk,” he said.

“Our approach is country-agnostic and focused on the risk to the Australian government and our assets.”

While there was no directive for the app to be banned on personal devices, the government has urged Australians to ensure they protect their privacy and review each platform’s data management policies.

In 2023, the Albanese government followed a similar move against video platform TikTok, which is owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance.

In recent days, the Taiwanese, Italian, and some US state government have also banned the AI app, with the NSW state government blocking the chatbot over privacy concerns.

The AI newcomer sent shockwaves through the tech sector after DeepSeek launched its highly-sophisticated R1 chatbot, which rivals OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Microsoft’s Copilot and Google’s Gemini.

It also marked China’s entry into the AI arms race, which had been dominated by the US, with US President Donald Trump labelling the move as a “wake-up call” for Silicon Valley.

The R1 chatbot launch was also credited with delivering a $1 trillion hit to US chip giant Nvidia, which supplies stock to Microsoft, Meta, Tesla, Amazon and Apple.

Originally published as Chinese AI app DeepSeek banned on all Commonwealth computers and phones