By AFP | 2025-02-03

Taiwan has banned workers in the public sector and at key infrastructure facilities from using DeepSeek, saying it was a Chinese product and could endanger national security.

DeepSeek launched its R1 chatbot in December, claiming it matches the capacity of artificial intelligence (AI) pace-setters in the United States for a fraction of the investment.

Countries including South Korea, Ireland, France, Australia and Italy have raised questions about the Chinese AI startup's data practices.

Taiwan's Ministry of Digital Affairs said on January 31 that all government agencies and critical infrastructure should not use DeepSeek because it "endangers national information security."

"DeepSeek AI service is a Chinese product," the ministry said in a statement.

"Its operation involves cross-border transmission and information leakage and other information security concerns."

Since 2019, Taiwan has banned government agencies from using information and communication technology products and services that pose a threat to "national information security."

Taiwan's restriction came as data watchdogs in South Korea and Ireland said they would ask DeepSeek to clarify how it manages users' personal information.

In January, Italy launched an investigation into the R1 model and blocked it from processing Italian users' data.

Grey zone

Taiwan has long accused China of using "grey zone" tactics -- actions that fall short of an act of war -- against the island, including cyberattacks, as Beijing presses its claims of sovereignty over the island.

Beijing regularly deploys fighter jets, drones and warships, and occasionally balloons, around Taiwan as it keeps up military pressure.

Beijing in December held its biggest maritime drills near Taiwan in years, deploying dozens of warships and coast guard vessels in an area stretching from near the southern islands of Japan to the South China Sea, Taiwanese authorities said at the time.

About 90 Chinese warships and coast guard vessels took part in the exercises, which included simulating attacks on foreign ships and practicing blockading sea routes, according to Taiwanese security officials.

Taipei also has raised concerns that China could attempt to sever communication links to the island, including undersea telecom lines.

In February 2023, two telecom lines serving Taiwan's outlying Matsu archipelago were cut, disrupting communications for weeks.