The Delhi High Court has issued a notice in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking restrictions on the use of DeepSeek, a Chinese-owned artificial intelligence chatbot.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela acknowledged concerns regarding AI's potential misuse, regardless of whether it originates from the American or Chinese government. The court has scheduled the matter for hearing on February 20, 2025.

The PIL, filed by Advocate Bhavna Sharma, raises security and privacy concerns surrounding DeepSeek. It was argued that within just a month of its launch, the chatbot experienced multiple vulnerabilities, leading to an online data leak affecting one million individuals.

Representing the petitioner, Advocate Nihit Dalmia pointed out that the Ministry of Finance has already issued an internal advisory cautioning government departments against using AI tools like DeepSeek and ChatGPT on official devices due to the risk of sensitive data breaches.

This is not the first instance of legal scrutiny over AI regulation. In 2024, Advocate Chaitanya Rohilla had petitioned the High Court for a regulatory framework to govern artificial intelligence and deepfake technologies, citing their potential for misuse in spreading misinformation and propaganda. The court, during the hearing of that case, had remarked, “I am shocked that what I can see with my own eyes, and hear with my ears, is fake.”

Additionally, journalist and Aap Ki Adalat host Rajat Sharma had also moved the High Court, raising concerns over the unregulated nature of deepfake technology in India. His plea underscored the risks posed by deepfakes, including their impact on misinformation, public discourse, democratic processes, and individual privacy.

For Petitioner: Advocate Nihit Dalmia
Case Title: Bhavna Sharma v. Union of India (W.P.(C) 1762/2025)