New Delhi:
In a move to protect the confidentiality of government data and documents, India’s finance ministry has issued a stern advisory to its employees, cautioning them against the use of AI tools such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek. This directive comes at a critical time, just ahead of OpenAI chief Sam Altman’s scheduled visit to India, where he is set to meet with the IT minister.
The advisory, dated January 29, highlights the significant risks these AI tools pose to the confidentiality of government information. This concern is not unique to India; countries like Australia and Italy have also implemented similar restrictions on the use of DeepSeek, citing data security risks.
The finance ministry’s advisory is clear: AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek are not to be used for official purposes due to the potential breaches in data confidentiality. This decision was confirmed by three finance ministry officials, who verified the authenticity of the advisory. The move underscores the growing concern over the security and privacy implications of using these AI tools within government environments.
The international context adds weight to India’s decision. Australia and Italy, among other countries, have taken similar measures to restrict the use of DeepSeek due to its data security vulnerabilities. These restrictions are part of a broader effort to safeguard sensitive information from potential cyber threats and data breaches.
The timing of the advisory is noteworthy, as it coincides with OpenAI chief Sam Altman’s visit to India. Altman is scheduled to meet with the IT minister, a meeting that takes place against the backdrop of ongoing tensions between OpenAI and Indian authorities. OpenAI is currently embroiled in a high-profile copyright infringement battle with India’s top media houses, further complicating the landscape.
Representatives from the finance ministry, OpenAI, and DeepSeek have not responded to requests for comment on the advisory. Additionally, Reuters could not confirm whether similar directives have been issued for other Indian ministries. The absence of OpenAI’s servers in India has also led the company to argue that Indian courts should not hear the copyright infringement case, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
