SYDNEY: Australia has banned DeepSeek from all government devices as it seeks to block “an unacceptable level of security risk” presented by the Chinese artificial intelligence program, according to an official order Tuesday.
“After considering threat and risk analysis, I have determined that the use of DeepSeek products, applications and web services poses an unacceptable level of security risk to the Australian Government,” Department of Home Affairs Secretary Stephanie Foster said in the directive.
As of Wednesday all non-corporate Commonwealth entities must “identify and remove all existing instances of DeepSeek products, applications and web services on all Australian Government systems and mobile devices,” she added.
The directive also required that access, use or installation of DeepSeek be prevented across government systems and mobile devices.
The action is the latest by governments from around the world which have been turning a spotlight on the services of the Chinese startup.
DeepSeek raised alarms last month when it claimed its new R1 chatbot matches the capacity of artificial intelligence pace-setters in the United States for a fraction of the cost.
Countries now including South Korea, Ireland, France, Australia and Italy have expressed concern about DeepSeek’s data practices, including how it handles personal data and what information is used to train DeepSeek’s AI system.
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Australia bans Chinese AI program DeepSeek on government devices
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Australia bans Chinese AI program DeepSeek on government devices
- Australian government said DeepSeek poses 'an unacceptable level of security risk'
- Several countries expressed concern about DeepSeek’s data practices
TikTok to comply with ‘upsetting’ Australian under-16 ban
SYDNEY: TikTok said Friday it will comply with Australia’s imminent ban on under-16s joining social media on the day it comes into force, but told users the changes “may be upsetting.”
Australia’s world-first legislation comes into effect December 10, curbing the world’s most popular social media platforms and websites, including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
Companies face fines of Aus$49.5 million ($32 million) if they fail to take “reasonable steps” to comply.
TikTok will block under-16s in Australia on the day the law comes into effect, it said, meaning they will no longer be able to hold or create an account.
“Teens with an existing account will be notified that they will no longer be able to use their existing account, which will become inactive,” it said.
“If they previously published content, it will no longer be available for others to view on TikTok.”
The social media giant said youngsters who have been blocked can submit an appeal to prove their age, including by facial images, credit card authorization or official ID.
“We understand that these changes may be upsetting, but they are necessary to ensure that TikTok complies with Australian law,” the company said in a statement.
Teens who fall under the law will have a choice of confirming their age, downloading their information, deleting their account, or asking for a reminder to recover their TikTok accounts when they turn 16.
TikTok urged parents to “have conversations” with their teens to ensure they are truthful about their age.
“We understand that these changes may be upsetting, but they are necessary to ensure that TikTok complies with Australian law.”
An Internet rights group last week launched a legal challenge to halt the ban.
The Digital Freedom Project said it had challenged the laws in Australia’s High Court, calling them an “unfair” assault on freedom of speech.
Australia’s restrictions have generated interest around the world as regulators wrestle with the potential dangers of social media.
Malaysia indicated it was planning to block children under 16 from signing up to social media accounts next year, while New Zealand will introduce a similar ban.
Australia’s world-first legislation comes into effect December 10, curbing the world’s most popular social media platforms and websites, including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
Companies face fines of Aus$49.5 million ($32 million) if they fail to take “reasonable steps” to comply.
TikTok will block under-16s in Australia on the day the law comes into effect, it said, meaning they will no longer be able to hold or create an account.
“Teens with an existing account will be notified that they will no longer be able to use their existing account, which will become inactive,” it said.
“If they previously published content, it will no longer be available for others to view on TikTok.”
The social media giant said youngsters who have been blocked can submit an appeal to prove their age, including by facial images, credit card authorization or official ID.
“We understand that these changes may be upsetting, but they are necessary to ensure that TikTok complies with Australian law,” the company said in a statement.
Teens who fall under the law will have a choice of confirming their age, downloading their information, deleting their account, or asking for a reminder to recover their TikTok accounts when they turn 16.
TikTok urged parents to “have conversations” with their teens to ensure they are truthful about their age.
“We understand that these changes may be upsetting, but they are necessary to ensure that TikTok complies with Australian law.”
An Internet rights group last week launched a legal challenge to halt the ban.
The Digital Freedom Project said it had challenged the laws in Australia’s High Court, calling them an “unfair” assault on freedom of speech.
Australia’s restrictions have generated interest around the world as regulators wrestle with the potential dangers of social media.
Malaysia indicated it was planning to block children under 16 from signing up to social media accounts next year, while New Zealand will introduce a similar ban.
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