Published 16:05 IST, February 5th 2025
No ChatGPT Please: Finance Ministry's Latest Diktat For Officials Amid DeepSeek Saga
This development underscores the growing global concerns regarding data security and the use of AI tools in official capacities.

India's Finance Ministry has advised its employees to refrain from using artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek for official tasks, citing concerns over the confidentiality of government data and documents. Internal advisory dated January 29, 2025, stated that utilizing these AI applications on office computers and devices could compromise sensitive information.
“India's finance ministry has asked its employees to avoid using AI tools including ChatGPT and DeepSeek for official purposes, citing risks posed to confidentiality of government documents and data, an internal department advisory showed” reported Reuters.
OpenAI: Global Concerns
This move aligns with precautions taken by other countries. Australia and Italy have imposed similar restrictions on the use of AI tools like DeepSeek, highlighting data security risks.
The advisory sparked on social media just before OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's scheduled visit to India on February 5, 2025. During his visit, Altman is expected to meet with government officials, including the Minister, to discuss advancements in artificial intelligence.
OpenAI: Legal Challenges in India
OpenAI is currently dealing with legal challenges in India. A lawsuit filed by a local news agency claims that OpenAI used its content to train AI models without proper compensation. Several book publishers and digital media outlets have joined the case, which is pending in a New Delhi court.
Employee Advisory Details
The Finance Ministry's advisory emphasizes the potential risks associated with AI tools, advising employees to avoid using it for official purposes to maintain the confidentiality of government information. Three officials from the ministry confirmed the authenticity of the advisory.
This development underscores the growing global concerns regarding data security and the use of AI tools in official capacities.
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Updated 16:06 IST, February 5th 2025