NEW DELHI, Feb 5: The Finance Ministry of India has issued an advisory urging its employees to refrain from using artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek for official work due to concerns over data security. The ministry’s advisory highlights the risks these AI tools pose to the confidentiality of government data and documents when used on office computers and devices.
According to the ministry, the use of AI apps like ChatGPT and DeepSeek on official devices could compromise sensitive government information. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (IT Ministry) had earlier suggested that privacy issues surrounding AI tools like DeepSeek could be mitigated by hosting open-source models on Indian servers.
The Chinese AI app DeepSeek, which has garnered attention for its potential as an alternative to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, is facing increasing scrutiny globally. Authorities in the Netherlands, for example, have launched an investigation into DeepSeek’s privacy policies, specifically regarding the handling of user data. In light of these concerns, the Indian government is exploring the possibility of hosting DeepSeek on Indian servers to ensure the safety and privacy of user data.
In parallel, Union Minister for Railways and Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced plans to develop India’s own ethical and secure AI model. This initiative is aimed at positioning India as a global leader in responsible AI technology. The new AI platform is expected to address privacy concerns and provide the country with a competitive edge in the growing global AI industry.
As the debate over AI privacy intensifies, DeepSeek’s arrival in India has sparked concerns about its potential risks, particularly given its Chinese origins. The app has also faced accusations of copying APIs from OpenAI and Microsoft, adding another layer of controversy to its use.
During a recent event in New Delhi, OpenAI Co-founder and CEO Sam Altman emphasized India’s importance as a key market for AI. India, he noted, is OpenAI’s second-largest market globally, and he urged the country to lead in the development of AI technologies despite the challenges related to the cost of AI models.
