Govt Bans AI Tools like ChatGPT, DeepSeek on Official Devices

Photo : Reuters

The Indian Ministry of Finance has stopped the use of tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek on government devices. This rule was announced on January 29, 2025, to keep important government information safe. The Ministry said that using these tools on work computers might put secret data at risk. The notice was signed by Pradeep Kumar Singh, Joint Secretary, and told all government workers to stop using these tools on official devices.

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The notice, approved by the Finance Secretary, has been sent to important government departments like Revenue, Economic Affairs, and Financial Services. This action is part of a global concern about using tools that handle sensitive information. AI tools like ChatGPT store data on external servers, which could lead to it being misused or accessed by unauthorized people, including foreign countries.

Governments and companies around the world are already limiting the use of these tools to protect data. While this new rule bans the use of AI tools on government devices, it doesn’t say if employees can use them on personal devices. The government’s choice shows that they are careful about using AI tools and want to make sure the country’s data stays secure.

As more workplaces begin using AI tools, the future of AI rules in India is unclear. For now, workers in the Ministry of Finance will need to use old-fashioned ways to do their work, especially on their office computers.

The ban is happening because of the risks that come with AI tools. These tools store data on external servers, so there is a chance that important government data could be accessed or used wrongly. This could happen even if it is not on purpose. Governments handle very private information, such as financial records and secret reports, which makes these risks even more serious.

Unlike regular programs, AI tools are run by private companies like OpenAI for ChatGPT. The government can’t control how these companies store or use the information, which raises fears of outside access or cyber-attacks. India is also working on stronger laws to protect personal data, such as the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. Allowing AI tools on government devices could break these new rules and cause harm to India’s systems.

In the end, the Ministry of Finance has made this decision to keep data safe and follow the country’s new rules on privacy. The government wants to make sure that no one can misuse the information it handles.