The Finance Ministry has issued a directive prohibiting officers and staff from using AI tools such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek on office computers, citing risks to the confidentiality of government data and documents.
In a note dated January 29, the Department of Expenditure stated,
"It has been determined that AI tools and AI apps (such as ChatGPT, DeepSeek etc.) in office computers and devices pose risks for confidentiality of government data and documents.
It is, therefore, advised that use of AI tools/AI apps in office devices may be strictly avoided. This may be brought to the notice of all employees."
The directive urged employees to strictly avoid AI applications on official devices.
This move aligns with global concerns over AI-driven data security risks. Countries like the US, Australia, Italy and Taiwan have already banned China's DeepSeek on government devices due to security threats. DeepSeek, a product of a Chinese startup, has been making waves in the AI industry, claiming to outperform OpenAI's ChatGPT while being more cost-effective. However, its rapid rise has also raised fears over potential misuse and data vulnerabilities.
With AI becoming increasingly integrated into work environments, governments worldwide are tightening cybersecurity protocols to prevent unauthorized data access and leaks. This strict adherence of the Finance Ministry underscores the growing caution around foreign AI tools in safeguarding sensitive state information.
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