Why government departments say no to AI in the office?

India’s finance ministry has issued an internal advisory directing its employees to refrain from using AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek for official purposes, citing concerns over the potential risks to the confidentiality of government documents and data. The advisory, dated January 29, warns that the use of such tools on office computers and devices could compromise the security of sensitive information. The notification coincides with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s scheduled visit to India, where he is expected to meet with IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

This has led to increased attention on the growing debate around AI tools and their data security implications. The finance ministry’s caution mirrors similar actions taken by other countries, such as Australia and Italy, which have also restricted the use of DeepSeek in government offices due to concerns over privacy and data protection. DeepSeek, in particular, has faced growing global scrutiny after privacy watchdogs, including the Dutch authorities, launched investigations into the app's handling of personal data.

In fact, DeepSeek was banned in Italy after failing to address concerns raised by the country’s data protection authority, and Australia has recently prohibited its use on all government devices for similar reasons. India’s concerns are not limited to these tools. In fact, the country is taking bold steps to develop its own AI capabilities, with Vaishnaw announcing plans to create India’s own foundation.