Australia has imposed an immediate ban on the use of DeepSeek across all government devices, citing national security concerns.

The directive, announced on Tuesday by the Department of Home Affairs, required the removal of all DeepSeek products, applications, and web services from government systems.

Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke, defended the ban, stating that it was crucial for safeguarding the country’s national interests.

“DeepSeek poses an unacceptable risk to government technology,” Burke said.

“The ban is essential to protect Australia’s national security and national interest.”

However, the restriction did not extend to private citizens, who remain free to use the new AI chatbot developed in China.

Australia joined a growing list of countries raising concerns about DeepSeek’s data privacy and security risks.

Italy’s privacy regulator recently blocked the AI service after its Chinese developers failed to address concerns about their data policies. Taiwan also issued warnings about potential cross-border data leaks, while regulators in South Korea, Ireland, and France have launched investigations into the chatbot’s data-handling practices.

LEADERSHIP reports that DeepSeek gained international attention with its open-source AI platform, which showcased advanced human-like reasoning. In January, it became the most downloaded free app on the Apple Store, surpassing OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

The rise of DeepSeek has shaken the global tech landscape, particularly in financial markets. Nvidia, the leading chipmaker before the emergence of DeepSeek, saw its market valuation plunged by about $600 billion as investors reacted to the Chinese app’s rapid growth.

The development has also drawn attention from the White House. US President Donald Trump acknowledged China’s AI advancements, describing them as a “wake-up call” for American tech firms. He urged the US industry to accelerate innovation to maintain its global leadership in AI.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently confirmed that the US government was evaluating potential national security risks posed by DeepSeek.

The United Kingdom has extended its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme to include citizens of the United States, Canada, and Australia, in a move aimed at tightening border security.

The system, which took effect on Wednesday, also covers travelers from around 50 other countries and territories, such as Argentina, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, and Caribbean nations.

The ETA, similar to the United States’ ESTA system, requires travelers from visa-exempt countries to obtain pre-travel authorisation.

Costing £10 ($12.50), the digital permit allow stays of up to six months over a two-year period.

Visitors can apply for the ETA via an app, with the authorisation linked electronically to their passports.

First launched in 2023 with Qatar, the system was later expanded to include five Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

The latest extension, which has been in effect since November for applicants, is expected to impact millions of annual visitors, including approximately six million from the US, Canada, and Australia, according to UK government estimates.

From April 2, the scheme will be further expanded to include dozens of European Union and other European countries. Travelers from these regions can begin applying from March 5.

Under the new rules, eligible travelers will need an ETA, even if they are only transiting through the UK. The requirement applies to all travelers, including children and infants.

However, British and Irish citizens, passport holders from British overseas territories, and legal UK residents are exempt from the scheme. It also does not alter the visa requirements for travelers from countries that already require a visa to enter the UK, such as China, Ecuador, and South Africa.

The rollout has however drawn criticism from London’s Heathrow Airport, which argued that the system was harming the UK’s competitiveness.

“The new requirement has reduced the number of passengers transiting through the UK and makes the country less competitive, ultimately impacting economic growth,” the airport said.

Previously, travelers from visa-exempt countries could enter the UK with just their passports, passing through immigration without additional authorisation.

The ETA mirrors the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is set to launch mid-year. ETIAS will apply to travelers from visa-exempt countries visiting 30 European nations, including France and Germany.

Costing €7 ($7.40), this will also allow visits of up to three years.

Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with Australia are facing potential strain following a series of counter-travel advisories issued by both nations, Sunday TheNigerian reports.

The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a warning to its citizens, advising them to exercise increased vigilance while travelling to Australia.

This advisory comes as a direct response to rising reports of harassment and discrimination against foreign nationals in Australia, including racial profiling, verbal abuse, and hate crimes targeting minority groups.

The advisory was issued shortly after Australia’s government advised its citizens to reconsider travelling to Nigeria, citing concerns over terrorism, kidnapping, and violent crimes.

Regions such as Adamawa, Borno, Bayelsa, and Delta states were identified as particularly risky.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade emphasised that citizens should “reconsider their need to travel to Nigeria due to the volatile security situation.”

While travel advisories are common between nations, Nigeria’s swift response has raised concerns about a potential diplomatic rift.

Countries like the United States and the United Kingdom had issued similar advisories against Nigeria in the past, but without provoking a direct retaliatory move.

In less than 24 hours after Australia’s advisory, Nigeria responded with its travel alert, which warned of discrimination, harassment, and verbal abuse against Nigerians in Australia.

“The unfortunate recent surge in antisemitic and Islamophobic hate crimes in Australia has increased the risk of violence, hence the need for caution,” the statement read.

Speaking to Sunday TheNigerian, former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico and Singapore, Ogbole Amedu-Ode supported the Federal Government’s response.

He acknowledged that Nigeria’s move appeared retaliatory, stating, “Traditionally, reciprocity is the name of the game in diplomacy. Nigeria is on the right track to avoid being unfairly criticised by a foreign country that should be a friend, particularly one like Australia, which is also a prominent member of the Commonwealth of Nations.”

“Respect doesn’t fall from heaven. It is earned. So, if the Americans and others at any time issue a travel advisory against Nigeria, Nigeria should also look for whatever they think is wrong there in terms of the safety and security of Americans in America, residents of America, and foreigners as well. And then issue the same travel advisory. No society is perfect.”

Amedu-Ode, who was also a former spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasised that both countries should engage diplomatically to resolve the situation, warning that it could escalate if not carefully managed.

“It depends on how they manage it. Both sides can decide to de-escalate the situation through private diplomatic channels,” he added.

He also suggested that Nigeria reviewed its internal issues to address the concerns raised internationally and improve its global image.

Supporting Amedu-Ode’s views on the matter, former Nigerian ambassador to Brazil and Argentina, Patrick Dele Cole, emphasised that retaliation was part of the diplomatic practice of reciprocity.

However, he called for common sense to prevail, urging both countries to focus on cooperation rather than tension.

“Australia has every right to issue a travel advisory, but we are also looking for partners to help us develop vital sectors like energy and infrastructure. Both sides should engage in civilised dialogue,” he advised.

On the issue of a potential diplomatic crisis, Cole dismissed the likelihood of such an outcome, noting, “No, I don’t think so. This is not a crisis. If they say Nigeria is not safe, we need to address our security concerns rather than be offended. Every country has its challenges.”

Former Consul to Cameroon, Ambassador Rasheed Akinkuolie, on his part, pointed out that the advisory was a routine diplomatic action.

“The travel advisory has no serious implications for the bilateral relationship between the two countries,” he explained, pointing out that Nigerians have contributed significantly to Australian society, with figures like Bola Oyetunji, the Auditor General of New South Wales, highlighting the success of Nigerians in the country.

Akinkuolie added that while incidents of violence involving Nigerians in Australia were rare, it was still wise for travellers to be cautious.

“Minor incidents, like racial slurs or petty offences, do occur but are not usually harmful. In any case, it’s always prudent to exercise caution when travelling abroad,” he said.

He further highlighted the importance of embassies issuing travel advisories to protect their nationals from potential risks.

Also speaking, former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr Yemi Farounbi, said the security alert wasn’t based on the reality on the ground.

He added that for Nigeria to avoid such issues, it must organise quarterly discussions to educate foreigners about the country.

Farounbi noted, “The security situation in Nigeria isn’t the way the Australian government has explained it. It would have been better if the government had told its citizens to avoid two or four states in Nigeria rather than the entire country.

“When the Australian government issued the security alert, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs should have sought an explanation from the Australian High Commissioner on the issue, and if there was no communication, they could have proceeded with their actions.”

He further stressed that this move by Nigeria showed it was ready to not allow itself to be undermined, and it was an indication that Nigeria wanted to assert its diplomatic stature.