The Delhi High Court has sought the Central government’s response on tackling security and privacy concerns linked to the Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek, emphasizing the need for early action to safeguard India’s digital sovereignty and data integrity.
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NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought a response from the Central government regarding its plans to address the growing concerns surrounding the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot DeepSeek.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela posed the query to Central Government Standing Counsel (CGSC) Ishkaran Bhandari, emphasizing that such issues must be addressed proactively to safeguard national interests.
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“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,”
— Delhi High Court Bench
What PIL Seeks?
The Court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Bhavna Sharma, who raised concerns that Chinese AI platforms like DeepSeek pose risks to privacy, data security, and the sovereignty and integrity of India.
In her petition, Sharma requested that the Central government frame clear guidelines and regulatory frameworks to restrict or block access to such AI tools that may compromise user data or national security.
The Bench granted additional time to the government’s counsel to seek detailed instructions from the relevant ministry. The matter will be listed next, along with other similar petitions related to AI regulation and digital security.
The rise of AI-powered platforms like DeepSeek has triggered global debate over data protection and cybersecurity. In India, concerns are growing that foreign-developed AI tools could potentially access sensitive personal or national data, leading to calls for stricter AI governance.
Earlier in February 2025, the Delhi High Court had already asked the Central government to provide clarity on how it intends to manage and monitor such AI applications. However, with rapid advancements in AI technology, experts say that India’s legal and regulatory framework needs urgent strengthening to protect users and ensure responsible innovation.
