Taiwan’s DeepSeek Ban: Securing Sovereignty or Signaling a New Phase of AI Risk?

An in-depth analysis of Taiwan’s AI restrictions and their implications for national security and global AI governance.

Published: February 2025

Building trusted partnerships at the intersection of technology and national security.

Overview

On February 3, 2025, Taiwan enacted a comprehensive prohibition on the use of DeepSeek AI services across all government departments. The decision underscores the government’s commitment to protecting national security and data sovereignty amidst rising concerns over potential exposure of sensitive information to foreign entities.

This action aligns with similar measures, such as the recent Texas ban on DeepSeek for government-issued devices, signaling a broader global trend of heightened scrutiny toward AI technologies developed in geopolitically sensitive contexts.

Implications for AI Risk and National Security

Taiwan’s ban is emblematic of an evolving perspective among governments regarding AI platforms, emphasizing the importance of mitigating risks related to foreign influence and surveillance. Key considerations include:

• Precedent for National AI Firewalls: Nations may increasingly develop policies aimed at restricting AI tools that lack transparency about their data flows, model training origins, and vendor affiliations.

• Securitization of AI Governance: National security will become a central factor in AI adoption decisions, particularly in government, defense, and critical infrastructure sectors.

• Vendor Risk Categorization: Organizations will need to evaluate AI vendors not only on technical merit but also on geopolitical alignment and governance maturity.

This convergence of cybersecurity and AI risk domains highlights that AI technologies are not value-neutral; they inherently embody the priorities of their creators and controllers.

TrustVector’s Perspective: AI as a Sovereignty Issue

We recognize that AI governance is increasingly entwined with issues of sovereignty, resilience, and strategic control, extending beyond traditional ethics and fairness considerations.

We anticipate a continued rise in:

• AI provenance and origin requirements (e.g., model training locations and infrastructure ownership)

• Auditability and explainability standards in public-sector AI procurement

• Heightened scrutiny of both open-source and proprietary AI models, particularly regarding governance transparency

  
  

Strategic Considerations for Leaders

Technology leaders across sectors should consider the following actions in response to this emerging geopolitical context:

• Assess Geopolitical Exposure: Map AI model origins, hosting environments, and data handling practices.

• Enhance Vendor Risk Frameworks: Incorporate transparency, ownership, and governance maturity alongside technical evaluation.

• Build Supply Chain Resilience: Explore partnerships with domestic or allied AI providers aligned with local laws and values.

  
  

Final Thought: Security as the New Frontier of Responsible AI

Taiwan’s DeepSeek ban exemplifies a future where AI governance is inseparable from national interest. As AI technologies become deeply integrated into society, safeguarding them requires more than addressing bias—it demands careful scrutiny of trust, control, and geopolitical implications.

TrustVector remains committed to monitoring and analyzing the evolving intersections of AI, sovereignty, and governance.