Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesia is currently reviewing a potential ban on Chinese AI DeepSeek following its restriction in several countries over data security concerns.
Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs (Wamenkomdigi) Nezar Patria stated that the government is still assessing developments related to DeepSeek, emphasizing that AI chatbots are part of technological innovation.
“We recognize that DeepSeek presents an alternative in AI technology. As a country that is actively developing artificial intelligence, we remain open to studying and evaluating various advancements in the field,” Nezar said on February 17, 2025, as reported by Detik.
DeepSeek’s Concerns
The rapid rise of DeepSeek has sparked concerns among authorities worldwide. Several governments and agencies have moved to block the AI system, citing ethical, privacy, and security risks.
The primary concern stems from the potential for user data to be accessed by the Chinese government. DeepSeek’s privacy policy states that all user data is stored in China, where local laws require organizations to share data with intelligence agencies upon request.
Countries That Have Banned DeepSeek
Italy was among the first countries to ban DeepSeek after its privacy watchdog launched an investigation into the company’s handling of personal data. In late January, Italy’s Data Protection Authority (DPA) began probing DeepSeek’s data collection practices and its compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the European Union’s strict data privacy law.
The DPA gave DeepSeek 20 days to clarify how and where it stores user data, as well as how the data is utilized. DeepSeek argued that its application does not fall under EU jurisdiction, but Italian authorities proceeded to remove the app from Apple and Google’s app stores in the country.
Taiwan has also blocked DeepSeek, citing concerns that its use in the public sector and critical infrastructure could pose cross-border transmission risks and potential information leaks. The ban applies to employees of government agencies, public schools, and state-owned enterprises.
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Data Privacy Concerns: Several Countries and Institutions Ban China’s AI Chatbot DeepSeek
In the United States, several state governments, including Texas and New York, have prohibited the use of DeepSeek on government devices and networks due to data privacy concerns. Other countries that have join the restriction on DeepSeek include Australia, South Korea, Ireland, and India, all citing similar concerns over data security and potential leaks.
Despite DeepSeek’s rapid growth and rising popularity, concerns over privacy, ethics, and data security remain significant obstacles. As Indonesia continues to assess its stance on DeepSeek, many governments and international organizations have deemed it necessary to take firm action to block or limit the chatbot’s usage to safeguard their data and infrastructure.
(Raidi/Agung)
