Tech Desk 
Feb 05, 2025
India’s finance ministry has advised its employees not to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek for official work, citing data security and confidentiality concerns.
An internal advisory, dated January 29, stated that using AI tools on office computers and devices could put sensitive government documents at stake. The directive aims to protect confidential information and prevent potential security breaches.
India restricts AI tools for officials
Notably, several countries like Australia and Italy have also placed similar restrictions on DeepSeek, an AI chatbot known for its powerful language processing capabilities. Meanwhile, OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is facing legal trouble in India over a copyright lawsuit filed by leading media houses.
The advisory surfaced on social media ahead of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s visit to India on Wednesday. During his trip, Altman is scheduled to meet India’s IT minister, a discussion expected to cover AI regulations, innovation, and safety concerns.
India is not alone in its cautious approach to AI tools. Governments worldwide are becoming increasingly concerned about how AI handles confidential data. Many fear that information entered into AI platforms could be stored, processed, or misused.
While the finance ministry has confirmed the advisory’s authenticity, it remains unclear whether other Indian ministries have issued similar directives. However, given India's focus on data security and AI regulation, more ministries may adopt similar restrictions in the future.
Neither India’s finance ministry, OpenAI, nor DeepSeek have commented on the advisory yet.
