Czech Republic Bans Chinese AI Firm DeepSeek from State Use Over Growing Cybersecurity Concerns

PRAGUE — The Czech Republic has barred the use of artificial intelligence products developed by Chinese tech firm DeepSeek within state administration, citing national security risks and fears of data exploitation by foreign intelligence agencies.

The ban, announced Wednesday, follows a formal warning issued by the Czech National Cyber and Information Security Agency (NÚKIB), which assessed that DeepSeek’s operations could potentially enable unauthorized access to sensitive user data. Authorities highlighted that, under Chinese law, companies like DeepSeek are legally obligated to cooperate with Chinese state intelligence services if requested—raising red flags for the protection of critical data and communication infrastructure.

Deepening Concerns Over Foreign Tech in Government

Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the government took “decisive action” after NÚKIB’s risk assessment concluded that the use of DeepSeek’s AI systems posed “an unacceptable level of risk” within public institutions.

“We cannot afford to expose state data or administrative functions to vulnerabilities created by legal obligations companies might have to foreign regimes,” Fiala said. “Our responsibility is to ensure that any digital tool used by the government meets the highest security standards.”

The decision bars all state agencies from deploying DeepSeek’s language models, AI assistants, or other software across their networks—effectively removing any Chinese-linked AI system from the Czech government’s digital ecosystem.

What Is DeepSeek?

Founded in 2023 and based in Hangzhou, DeepSeek emerged during China’s rapid expansion into generative AI, positioning itself as a major competitor to U.S.-based companies like OpenAI and Google DeepMind. The company launched its first large language model just months after its formation, quickly gaining traction across Chinese markets for its speed, scale, and multilingual capabilities.

Although relatively new, DeepSeek has already drawn international scrutiny due to concerns about how Chinese tech firms, especially those working in sensitive sectors like AI, are entangled with Beijing’s national security and surveillance apparatus.

Not the First Chinese Tech Crackdown in Prague

This is not the first time the Czech Republic has taken a firm stance against Chinese technology. In 2018, the government halted the use of hardware and software made by Chinese telecommunications giants Huawei and ZTE in state institutions. That decision was also based on security warnings from NÚKIB, which warned that such tech could be used for espionage or remote interference.

“The DeepSeek ban follows a consistent policy trajectory,” said cyber defense analyst Jana Richterová at the Czech Institute for Strategic Studies. “The Czech Republic has been cautious about integrating any foreign technology into government operations if there is even a remote risk of that technology being weaponized by foreign powers.”

A Global Pattern of AI Pushback

The Czech ban is the latest in a growing international trend of restricting Chinese AI tools from sensitive or governmental use. In January 2025, Italy’s privacy watchdog barred public access to DeepSeek’s AI chatbot, citing inadequate data protection standards. Australia, too, has reportedly taken internal measures to limit the use of Chinese AI technologies in both government and educational institutions.

Experts warn that as generative AI systems become increasingly embedded in administrative and strategic workflows, the geopolitical implications of who builds—and controls—those systems will only intensify.

Tensions Between Security and Innovation

While DeepSeek and similar companies offer competitive tools in the global AI race, their potential use within democratic governments has triggered a reckoning over the balance between innovation and security. Beijing’s expansive national security laws, including the 2017 National Intelligence Law, compel Chinese firms to share data with state authorities if requested, even if doing so violates data privacy laws in other countries.

“The problem is not just the technology—it’s the geopolitical structure behind the technology,” said Milan Urban, a former cybersecurity adviser to the Czech Ministry of the Interior. “When you allow tools from authoritarian regimes into your data infrastructure, you risk giving them leverage over how you govern and protect your citizens.”

For now, the Czech government’s stance is clear: AI products developed under opaque legal frameworks will not be welcome within its digital borders.

Source: AP News – The Czech Republic bans DeepSeek in state administration over cybersecurity concerns