‘Chinese language or American, AI a harmful instrument,’ says Delhi HC on PIL in opposition to DeepSeek – Firstpost

The Delhi Excessive Court docket on Wednesday remarked that synthetic intelligence (AI) is a harmful instrument, no matter who controls it, be it a Chinese language entitiy or an American one. This commentary got here throughout the listening to of a Public Curiosity Litigation (PIL) in opposition to the Chinese language AI platform DeepSeek, which has been underneath scrutiny for potential privateness and safety dangers.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela directed the Union authorities’s counsel to make clear its stance on the matter, indicating that the problem requires additional examination, as per a report by Bar & Bench. The Court docket additionally questioned the statutory mechanisms accessible for blocking such platforms if vital.

Union Authorities nonetheless reviewing the problem

The PIL raised considerations about DeepSeek’s information practices, alleging that the platform’s method to monitoring consumer behaviour goes past normal trade practices.

The Court docket sought readability from the union authorities on whether or not the matter is already underneath evaluate or if it nonetheless requires consideration.  

In the course of the listening to, Justice Gedela famous that AI instruments, regardless of their origin, pose dangers, significantly regarding information privateness. Addressing the petitioner’s considerations over privateness infringement, he identified that huge quantities of information exist already on the darkish internet, making it troublesome to make sure absolute safety. The Court docket acknowledged the necessity for cautious consideration earlier than taking any motion but in addition urged persistence as the federal government deliberates on its response.

DeepSeek faces rising world scrutiny

India’s considerations over DeepSeek are a part of a broader world pattern, with a number of international locations flagging the AI platform for safety dangers. An investigation by the Indian Pc Emergency Response Workforce (CERT-In) discovered that DeepSeek collects and tracks consumer information extensively, together with monitoring chatbot prompts, app utilization patterns, and even whether or not customers change to competing AI platforms like ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini.

The first concern, in response to officers, is the platform’s lack of transparency on how and the place it shops delicate consumer information. Given India’s strained relations with China, there’s heightened warning over permitting Chinese language companies entry to non-public information, with fears of potential surveillance or cyber espionage.

This concern has already led to restrictions, with the Ministry of Finance prohibiting authorities officers from utilizing AI instruments like DeepSeek and ChatGPT. A number of different international locations, together with Australia, Italy, and South Korea, have additionally imposed bans on DeepSeek in authorities places of work, citing privateness and safety vulnerabilities.

Globally, DeepSeek has been underneath scrutiny since its launch in January. Whereas it was initially praised for its superior open-source AI mannequin, numerous governments have since raised pink flags over its information dealing with insurance policies. Australia banned the platform over privateness and malware considerations, Taiwan categorised it as a safety menace, and South Korean authorities, together with regulation enforcement companies, flagged it as a possible nationwide safety threat. Italy has gone so far as blocking DeepSeek from processing Italian consumer information whereas launching an investigation into its AI mannequin.

India’s subsequent steps

As AI laws evolve, India faces the problem of balancing technological innovation with nationwide safety. The federal government is anticipated to take a cautious method, significantly given the sensitivity surrounding information privateness. With world considerations mounting over DeepSeek, India might observe different nations in implementing restrictions or elevated oversight of AI platforms linked to China.

For now, the Delhi Excessive Court docket has opted to attend for the federal government’s official stance earlier than making any resolution. With AI turning into an more and more highly effective instrument, the authorized and regulatory panorama surrounding its use in India is about to stay a topic of debate.