DeepSeek Data Harvesting Triggers Government Warnings and Bans Globally
DeepSeek, a Chinese AI chatbot launched in January 2025, reportedly collects extensive user data including behavior, device information, and keystrokes. Multiple governments including India, South Korea, the United States, Italy, and Australia have launched investigations or banned the application from government devices over data privacy and cybersecurity concerns.
What happened
DeepSeek, a Chinese AI chatbot launched in January 2025, has faced global scrutiny over data privacy and security concerns. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) began investigating how the application collects and processes user data.
According to officials, DeepSeek monitors user prompts, tracks device activity, and gathers sensitive information including which AI apps users have installed or uninstalled. Concerns include the possibility that the chatbot can track user behavior, device data, and keystrokes.
Reported impact
The Indian government is expected to issue an advisory cautioning users about DeepSeek's potential risks to data privacy and cybersecurity. The Indian finance ministry previously issued an internal advisory stating that AI tools including DeepSeek could compromise confidential government data.
Countries including the United States, South Korea, Italy, and Australia have already banned or restricted DeepSeek on government devices due to security risks.
Index analysis
Government officials expressed concern that China-based companies may not be accountable for how they store and use citizens' data, unlike US-based alternatives. Authorities also worried about DeepSeek's ability to spread misinformation and manipulate political narratives, posing a threat to national security.
Governance controls
If implemented, a formal advisory could restrict or discourage the use of DeepSeek across government offices and personal devices in India.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.