The Delhi High Court on Tuesday observed that if the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) company-owned platform DeepSeek poses a threat, a user also has the liberty to refrain from using it..The Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela made the observation while refusing to advance the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking to block DeepSeek in India."Don't use it if it is so harmful. Is it compulsory for you to use it ? There is no ground for seeking urgent hearing," Justice Upadhyaya remarked..The PIL against DeepSeek has raised concerns with regard to privacy and security of the platform and prayed for directions to frame guidelines to block access to such AI tools.On February 12, the Court asked asking a counsel representing the Union government to seek instructions in the matter. It was listed again on February 20 but could not be taken up due to paucity of time, so the next date given was April 16.The petitioner then moved an application seeking a priority hearing of her case. "The matter is little bit sensitive," the counsel representing the petitioner submitted today..However, the Court remarked there was no urgency in the case as platforms similar to DeepSeek have been available in India since long."How is it sensitive? Such applications in the other names are available since when in India? It's not only DeepSeek. There are other platforms also. They are available, accessible since when," the Court asked..The Court, addressing the counsel, further said,"Please do not use that platform if you feel that it is harmful."The counsel responded that he won't be using it but the platform is available to the entire public. "Yes, it is available ... so many things are available on net for the entire world to have access," the Court remarked..The Court then proceeded to reject the application seeking early hearing. This is not a matter which should be heard on priority, it said. "No case for early hearing is made out. The application is rejected," the Court ordered..Advocates Nihit Dalmia and Bhavna Sharma appeared in the mater.
