The federal Parliament recently took a radical step by blocking access to DeepSeek, a Chinese AI chatbot, on its premises. This blockage raises crucial questions about the security and privacy standards adopted by emerging technologies. What are the reasons for this decision and how are other countries reacting to this situation?
The 3 key points not to miss
- DeepSeek, the Chinese AI chatbot, is now inaccessible to the federal parliament due to concerns about data security.
- A study revealed a risk score of 8.3 out of ten for DeepSeek, and a database of conversations was accessible online.
- Other countries, including Italy and South Korea, have also taken steps to restrict DeepSeek, while the European Union is assessing its compliance with data protection rules.
Decision of the federal parliament
Since last week, DeepSeek is no longer accessible to federal parliament employees and other government services. This decision was confirmed by the House services, which specified that the situation would be reviewed once the risks associated with the platform are better understood.
Security and privacy issues
Concerns around DeepSeek continue to grow, particularly after a study conducted by AppSoc assigned a risk score of 8.3 out of ten to the application. Furthermore, the security company Wiz discovered that a database containing chat conversations was easily accessible on the Internet, raising critical questions about DeepSeek’s management of personal data.
International reactions
Italy and South Korea have already taken measures to limit access to DeepSeek, and several European countries are currently examining its compliance with data protection regulations. The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) could consider additional actions against DeepSeek if necessary.
Background: DeepSeek and Scale-AI
DeepSeek was developed by Scale-AI and brought a new dynamic to the artificial intelligence sector by offering a less expensive solution than those of large companies. Inspired by OpenAI’s data, DeepSeek had the potential to democratize access to AI. However, growing security and privacy concerns could hinder its expansion in Europe, as the European Union evaluates the possibility of completely banning it.