MDDI's response to PQ on the Use of Deepseek

Parliament Sitting on 3 March 2025

QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

*4. Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information (a) whether the Government is considering restrictions on the use of DeepSeek by public officers, similar to bans imposed by some other countries on its use on Government devices; (b) if not, what factors justify a different approach in Singapore; and (c) how does the Government determine which AI models are deemed secure enough for public sector use.

Answer:

1. The Government has policies, frameworks and processes to guide the use of technology in the public sector, including emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI). This allows us to evaluate the suitability of technologies for different use cases, based on factors such as performance, security and resilience. This enables public sector agencies to use innovative technologies effectively while ensuring the security and reliability of government operations and functions.

2. We regularly review and update our policies to address the evolving technological landscape and security considerations.