Centre’s response sought on regulating Chinese AI Chatbot DeepSeek

Centre’s response sought on regulating Chinese AI Chatbot DeepSeek

Precautionary steps must be taken before such platforms cause larger harm or misuse; the judges noted.

The central government has been asked by the Delhi High Court to make clear its plan to address concerns around Chinese artificial intelligence chatbot, DeepSeek.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Bhavna Sharma when the matter came up.

Platforms like DeepSeek pose threats to the privacy and security of Indian citizens; as per Sharma’s petition. Such tools could endanger the sovereignty and integrity of India; she argued.

Her plea seeks directions to the Centre to frame proper guidelines for blocking access to such AI-based platforms operating within the country.

The bench pressed the central government’s counsel, Ishkaran Bhandari to explain how the government plans to handle the matter. Early intervention is crucial, the judges said. Chief Justice Upadhyaya reportedly observed, “You have to take instructions. There is no doubt that this is an issue which needs to be tackled at the initial stage as well. You take instructions. How is the ministry going to tackle this? Please keep it ready.”

Concerns surrounding DeepSeek must not be ignored, especially given the rapid advancement of AI tools and their growing reach among users; the court noted. Precautionary steps must be taken before such platforms cause larger harm or misuse; the judges noted.

The government’s counsel was granted time to obtain further instructions from the concerned ministry. The case will now be listed along with other matters relating to similar issues involving AI and data protection.

Earlier in February, the High Court asked the Centre to respond on the same issue but no detailed action plan was presented at that stage.

The operations of DeepSeek have raised questions about cross-border data security and surveillance risks. How AI chatbots, while capable of performing complex tasks, can also collect, process and transmit user data in ways that might compromise national interests; the PIL highlights.