Australia has imposed a ban on the use of the Chinese application Deepseek with artificial intelligence on all state devices. This decision was made following a security threat analysis related to the extensive collection of data and the potential transfer of information to a foreign state, bypassing Australian laws.
According to PSPF Direction 001-2025, Australian state institutions are required to completely remove Deepseek from their systems and devices, and to prevent its installation and use in the future. Exceptions may be made only in cases involving national security or law enforcement tasks, under strict protection measures.
Australia is the second country, after Taiwan, to officially ban Deepseek. A similar bill is currently under consideration in the USA.
Australia’s concerns revolve around the potential use of the Chinese application to access confidential information and carry out actions that contradict Australian legislation.
The local government stresses that the threat is not only from the application itself, but also from its web versions, services, and all products associated with Deepseek or its subsidiaries. Moreover, a mandatory reporting requirement to the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the ban’s implementation has been established.
The document specifies that Deepseek models with open-source code deployed on local servers, with appropriate security measures in place, can be used without restrictions. However, any cloud interaction with Deepseek or its derivatives remains prohibited.
This move by Australia adds to the global trend of heightened scrutiny over Chinese digital technologies. Previous bans have been imposed on Tiktok, as well as Chinese devices such as video surveillance cameras and network equipment. The trend reflects the growing concerns about potential Chinese interference in the cybersecurity of Western nations.
Australian authorities recommend that organizations and private users also assess the potential risks of using Deepseek. While the ban currently applies only to government agencies, similar precautions may be extended to the private sector in the future.
China’s response to the ban is currently unknown, but it is likely to be viewed by Beijing as a form of political pressure. Meanwhile, Australian security authorities continue to analyze threats associated with foreign technologies, and further