In the digital age, Australians are no strangers to the wonders of artificial intelligence (AI), with many embracing the convenience and innovation it brings to our daily lives. However, the latest AI sensation, DeepSeek, has prompted a word of caution from Australian government officials, who are urging the public to think twice before engaging with the app due to potential privacy concerns.
DeepSeek, an AI chatbot developed by a China-based technology startup, has taken the tech world by storm, quickly rising to fame for its impressive capabilities and cost-effectiveness. Its sudden popularity has even seen it surpass the well-known ChatGPT in-app download charts. But with great power comes great responsibility, and in this case, a need for vigilance.
Federal ministers Ed Husic and Clare O’Neil have voiced their concerns, highlighting the importance of being mindful of the personal information shared with the app. O’Neil, the former cyber security minister, advised on Seven’s Sunrise program, ‘It’s fine to talk to the app, but perhaps don’t give it personal information that you don’t want the rest of the world to know.’ She also mentioned that national security agencies are currently examining the app’s settings to better understand its operations before issuing formal guidance to Australians.
The opposition finance spokesperson, Jane Hume, echoed these sentiments, emphasising the need for the government to disclose any security concerns regarding DeepSeek’s use. She stated, ‘It’s overtaken ChatGPT, we would urge caution on this one. Take our advice from the security experts, and we hope that the government will make that advice explicit.’
While O’Neil is holding off on downloading DeepSeek, preferring ChatGPT for now, Science Minister Ed Husic also advised caution, pointing out that Chinese companies often have different approaches to user privacy and data management compared to their Western counterparts. ‘The minute you export it to markets where consumers have different expectations around privacy and data management, the question is whether those products will be embraced in the same way,’ Husic said.
Australia’s stance on Chinese technology has been cautious in the past, as seen in the 2018 ban of Huawei from the country’s national 5G network due to national security concerns. This backdrop adds context to the current apprehension surrounding DeepSeek.
However, Australia’s newly appointed chief scientist, Tony Haymet, offered a more optimistic view, recognising AI as a significant opportunity for the country, especially in terms of renewable energy-powered AI exports. Haymet believes that Australia’s governance regime positions it well to manage the potential risks of AI while fostering innovation.
DeepSeek, owned by the Chinese hedge fund High-Flyer, has made waves with its free chatbot assistant powered by the DeepSeek-V3 model. The startup claims its models rival those of U.S. competitors like OpenAI and Meta, boasting efficiency in their use of Nvidia processor chips. Despite U.S. restrictions on sales of high-performance A100 chips to China, DeepSeek has adapted by using the lower-performing H800 chips, which remain unrestricted.
While the startup’s claims of low-cost efficiency have been met with scepticism from some analysts, the broader concern for Australians is the potential privacy implications of using DeepSeek. As AI continues to evolve and integrate into our lives, it’s crucial to stay informed and cautious about the digital tools we use.
So, before you dive into the latest AI trend, remember the advice from Australian officials: be careful with your personal information and keep informed for further guidance. Your privacy may depend on it.
With AI rapidly advancing, how are you managing your privacy? Have you tried apps like DeepSeek or ChatGPT? What steps do you take to safeguard your personal information? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and let’s navigate the digital landscape together.
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