Taiwan, Australia, Firms Ban DeepSeek AI Over Security Risks

Taiwan has implemented a ban on the DeepSeek AI chatbot in the public sector due to concerns over data security and the chatbot's controversial responses regarding Taiwan's sovereignty. This move follows similar actions taken by other countries, including Australia, which cited 'unacceptable risks' to national security, not solely due to the app's Chinese origins. Experts have raised alarms about DeepSeek's security practices, including hard-coded encryption keys and unencrypted data transmission to Chinese companies, which could expose sensitive user information. Major South Korean firms like Kakao and Naver are also avoiding the use of DeepSeek, citing insufficient safety verification. The rapid rise of DeepSeek in the AI market has spurred investigations in countries like South Korea, Ireland, and France over its data handling practices. As regulatory scrutiny increases, the competition between DeepSeek and established AI players like OpenAI intensifies, prompting further research and development initiatives in the West.