The Finance Ministry has issued a directive prohibiting officers from using artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek on official computers and devices, citing risks to data confidentiality and security.
In an internal advisory dated January 29, the Department of Expenditure highlighted concerns that AI applications could compromise sensitive government documents. “AI tools and applications (such as ChatGPT, DeepSeek, etc.) on office computers and devices pose risks to the confidentiality of government data and documents,” the note stated.
This decision aligns India with countries like Australia and Italy, which have also imposed restrictions on DeepSeek due to similar privacy and security concerns. The advisory surfaced on social media just ahead of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s visit to India, where he is expected to engage with the IT minister and industry leaders.
DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, has been rapidly gaining traction in the global AI landscape. Its cost-effective models, DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-R1, have drawn attention for their efficiency. Unlike conventional AI models requiring massive investments, DeepSeek’s R1 model was reportedly developed for just $6 million while consuming significantly less computing power than ChatGPT.
Recently, DeepSeek has surged in popularity, surpassing ChatGPT as the top free app on Apple’s App Store, raising concerns among US tech giants. The company, based in Hangzhou, was founded by entrepreneur Liang Wenfeng, a former hedge fund CEO.
 tools such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek on official computers and devices, citing risks to data confidentiality and security.){kind=link}