Why Are Governments Banning DeepSeek? The Security Risks Uncovered

DeepSeek R1 has taken the AI world by storm, but with rapid success comes scrutiny. What started as an exciting new technology is now raising red flags across multiple countries and organizations.

Italy, Thailand, and several U.S. states have decided to ban the China-based AI model, citing security concerns. Even major institutions like NASA and the U.S. Navy have prohibited its use on government devices.

Why Are Governments Banning DeepSeek? The Security Risks Uncovered

Despite DeepSeek's impressive capabilities—rivaling models like ChatGPT and amassing over 16 million downloads globally—the initial hype is giving way to deep concerns. Allegations of data leaks, fraud, and potential government surveillance have left many questioning its safety.

Below, we dive into the growing list of bans and why both individuals and businesses may need to think twice before using DeepSeek R1.

Key Takeaways:

DeepSeek is under fire for alleged data leaks and possible Chinese government surveillance.
Italy, Taiwan, and Texas have already banned it due to security risks.
NASA and the U.S. Navy have blocked it from government-issued devices.
Authorities in Greece, Ireland, Belgium, and France are considering similar restrictions.
Businesses must decide whether to follow governments in banning DeepSeek.

As AI becomes more powerful, the debate over security and trust will only intensify. The question remains: is DeepSeek a revolutionary tool or a risky gamble?

Italy & Taiwan Take a Stand Against DeepSeek

‘Into the unknown’ may be an accurate statement: DeepSeek may veer further into geopolitical issues than was anticipated. Source: DeepSeek

Taiwan has officially banned DeepSeek R1, forbidding its use by government agencies, public sector employees, and critical infrastructure providers.

The reason? Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs made it crystal clear: “DeepSeek AI service is a Chinese product.”

That simple statement carries weight. Because it’s a Chinese company, DeepSeek could be legally forced to hand over data to Chinese intelligence agencies at any time. That’s a serious security risk for any government.

Taiwan’s Ministry elaborated: “[DeepSeek]’s operation involves cross-border transmission, information leakage, and other information security concerns.”

Meanwhile, Italy has taken an even stronger stance—and it likely won’t be the last European country to do so.

The Italian government has outright banned DeepSeek, preventing it from processing any data from its citizens. Initially, regulators gave DeepSeek’s parent company, Beijing DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence, 20 days to clarify how it handles personal data. But before the deadline even hit, Italy went ahead with the block. Reports suggest DeepSeek refused to cooperate with the inquiry.

Italy’s data protection agency, Garante, didn’t mince words:

"Contrary to what was found by the authority, the companies have declared that they do not operate in Italy and that European legislation does not apply to them."

The agency warned of a “possible risk to the data of millions of people in Italy.”

Agostino Ghiglia, a board member of the Italian data authority, told Reuters:

"Not only did DeepSeek’s response fail to reassure us, it made things worse. That’s why we decided to enforce the block. If they won’t cooperate, DeepSeek stays banned in Italy."

The fallout was swift—DeepSeek vanished from the App Store and Google Play in Italy and Ireland.

The UK hasn’t banned the app yet, but AI Minister Feryal Clark has cautioned users about its risks. Meanwhile, Greece is considering following Italy’s lead, and regulators in Ireland, Belgium, and France have also started investigating. Even beyond Europe, South Korea and Australia have requested more information.

But at the end of the day, one thing is undeniable: as a Chinese company, DeepSeek is legally bound to comply with Beijing’s intelligence agencies.

And even if it weren’t, it might not matter—security experts have already uncovered gaping vulnerabilities in DeepSeek’s systems. Leaked databases have exposed chat prompts, internal data, and more.

For many governments, the risk is simply too high. And unless DeepSeek changes its approach, this is likely just the beginning.

Governments Aren’t the Only Ones Concerned About DeepSeek

The concerns around DeepSeek aren’t just limited to national governments—individual U.S. states are also taking action. Texas has become the first state to ban DeepSeek on government devices, and Governor Greg Abbott didn’t hold back in his statement:

“Texas will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate our state’s critical infrastructure through data-harvesting AI and social media apps.”

Abbott made it clear that the ban is part of a broader effort to secure the state’s sensitive data:

“To achieve that mission, I ordered Texas state agencies to ban Chinese government-backed AI and social media apps from all state-issued devices. State agencies and employees handling critical infrastructure, intellectual property, and personal information must be protected from malicious espionage operations by the Chinese Communist Party.”

“Texas will continue to protect and defend our state from hostile foreign actors.”

At the federal level, the U.S. government hasn’t officially banned DeepSeek—yet. But the National Security Council is actively investigating its potential security risks, as confirmed by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

And some branches of the government aren’t waiting for a national directive. NASA has already put a ban in place, stating:

“DeepSeek and its products and services are not authorized for use with NASA’s data and information or on government-issued devices and networks.”

The U.S. Navy has taken a similar stance, prohibiting its use for both work-related tasks and personal use.

The Bigger Picture

DeepSeek entered the AI race with a bang. Its affordability and efficiency shook the industry, even impacting the stock prices of major players like Nvidia. When it launched in January 2025, Nvidia’s senior research manager, Dr. Jim Fan, called it a continuation of OpenAI’s original vision:

“Keeping the original mission of OpenAI alive—truly open, frontier research that empowers all.”

But the optimism didn’t last long. Allegations of intellectual property theft from OpenAI, leaked data exposing user information, and growing fears that the Chinese government could access data from millions of users worldwide have changed the narrative.

With governments taking swift action, it’s likely that major corporations will follow. More countries may soon move to ban DeepSeek as well.

We’re living in unpredictable times. Say what you will about OpenAI and Western AI models, but at least they’re bound by strict data protection laws—and they face real consequences if they violate them.

Sending a ‘cease-and-desist’ letter to China? You might as well send it into the void.

FAQs

Which countries have banned DeepSeek AI?

Italy and Taiwan have completely banned DeepSeek AI at the national level. In the U.S., specific states like Texas and major agencies such as NASA and the Navy have also restricted its use due to security concerns.

Why is DeepSeek seen as a security risk?

Experts worry that, since DeepSeek is a Chinese company, it could be legally required to share user data with Chinese intelligence agencies. This raises serious concerns about privacy and data security, especially for organizations handling sensitive information.

Has the U.S. government officially banned DeepSeek?

There isn’t a federal ban in place yet, but key government bodies like NASA and the U.S. Navy have strictly prohibited DeepSeek on their devices. Texas has also implemented a statewide ban, signaling growing caution in the U.S.

What security issues have been found in DeepSeek?

Cybersecurity researchers have discovered exposed databases linked to DeepSeek, revealing stored chat prompts and internal data. These findings raise red flags about potential data leaks and the overall safety of using the AI.

Should private companies block DeepSeek AI?

Businesses that prioritize data security and compliance should carefully assess the risks. If there’s any uncertainty about how DeepSeek handles user data, restricting or banning its use might be the safest approach.