Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs has issued a directive prohibiting government departments from using artificial intelligence services provided by Chinese startup DeepSeek, citing national security risks.
The democratically governed island has long been cautious of Chinese technology, given Beijing’s territorial claims over Taiwan and its history of military and political threats against the Taipei government.
In a statement released on Friday, the ministry emphasized the potential risks associated with DeepSeek’s AI platform. “DeepSeek’s AI service is a Chinese product, and its operation involves cross-border data transmission and possible information leakage, posing a threat to the nation’s information security,” the statement read.
The ministry further pledged to stay updated on technological advancements and adjust its cybersecurity policies accordingly to ensure Taiwan’s digital security remains uncompromised.
Meanwhile, concerns about DeepSeek’s handling of personal data are growing internationally. Earlier on Friday, South Korea’s privacy watchdog announced plans to question the company about its data management practices. Regulatory authorities in France, Italy, and Ireland have also launched investigations into the startup’s use of personal information.
