Delhi High Court Denies Urgent Hearing on DeepSeek AI Ban Petition

The Delhi High Court declined to expedite a hearing on a PIL seeking to block the AI platform DeepSeek in India, stressing users can choose not to engage with it. The court highlighted AI's potential risks and emphasized careful examination, postponing the case until April 16.

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday rejected an urgent hearing request for a Public Interest Litigation aiming to block the Chinese AI platform, DeepSeek, across India. Presided over by the Chief Justice of Delhi, the bench highlighted that users have the choice to avoid the platform if they perceive it as a risk. The court expressed that there was insufficient groundwork for an urgent hearing on the matter.

Initially listed on February 12, the application filed by the petitioner urged the court for swift action. The bench had earlier asked the Union government's counsel to seek directions in the case, which was then deferred to February 20. However, due to time constraints, the hearing was rescheduled to April 16. The court indicated the necessity for thorough deliberation on the arguments presented by the petitioner's counsel.

Focusing on the risks of artificial intelligence, the court acknowledged its potential hazards, irrespective of its country of origin. The litigation challenges DeepSeek, claiming vulnerabilities detected soon after its release compromised over one million pieces of personal data. Filed by Advocate Bhavna Sharma, it highlights global concerns, including Italy's ban on DeepSeek for privacy violations and similar inquiries from countries like the USA, Australia, and several European nations. India's own Ministry of Finance has urged government bodies against using such AI tools, citing confidentiality risks.

(With inputs from agencies.)