As concerns grow about data privacy and security, governments around the world are increasingly cautious about using certain technologies.
The Dutch government has recently taken a bold step in response to growing worries about espionage. It has banned civil servants from using the Chinese AI chatbot, DeepSeek.
Zsolt Szabo, the Secretary of State for Digital Technologies in the Netherlands, made the announcement, reports Ukrinform.
He expressed concerns that DeepSeek could be used for espionage, specifically regarding how it handles user data.
DeepSeek is a Chinese-developed chatbot that allows users to ask questions or give commands.
To use it, however, you need to input some personal information. This raised suspicions about the chatbot's data collection practices.
Many have feared that the app could be sharing this data with the Chinese government.
Another issue with DeepSeek is the censorship users have noticed. Many people have reported that the chatbot avoids answering questions that criticize the Chinese government.
This has led to further concerns about the app’s true purpose and its potential role in spreading communist propaganda.
The Netherlands is not alone in raising concerns about DeepSeek. Other countries, such as South Korea, have also blocked access to the chatbot in government institutions.
In fact, the Netherlands is now investigating how DeepSeek handles user data. The government is looking into whether the app collects and shares personal information with Chinese authorities.
This decision by the Dutch government is part of a broader global trend where countries are increasingly wary of foreign technology and its potential to compromise national security.
As concerns about privacy continue to rise, more governments are likely to follow the Netherlands' lead in regulating or banning certain apps.
