India's Finance Ministry bans AI tools like DeepSeek over privacy concerns

India's finance ministry asked its employees not to use artificial intelligence AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek for official work. The advisory issued warns that these tools may pose a risk to confidential government data and documents. According to the advisory of the Ministry of Finance, it has been determined that AI tools and AI apps in office computers and devices such as ChatGPT and DeepSec pose a risk to the privacy of government data and documents.

AI tools that can be Managed

The IT Ministry had said that privacy concerns related to AI tools like DeepSeek can be managed by hosting an open-source model on Indian servers. DeepSec, a Chinese AI app, is facing scrutiny across the world. Dutch authorities launched an investigation into its privacy policies, raising questions about how it handles users' personal data. Other countries are also conducting similar investigations on DeepSec.

South Korea Expresses Concern

Responding to concerns over data collection, South Korea's finance ministry said it would block access to China's AI tools DeepSeeq. "Due to the numerous technical concerns raised about DeepSeek domestically and abroad, we plan to block DeepSec's access to the service on computers connected to external networks," the South Korean official said. A day earlier, access to DeepSec was restricted on computers of South Korea's foreign, trade, and defense ministries.