Chatbots and national security: Why DeepSeek is raising concerns

Chinese AI Chatbot DeepSeek: Global Reactions and Concerns

• Impact on Global Industry: DeepSeek, a Chinese AI chatbot, disrupted the global tech industry with the launch of its R1 program, claiming to use less expensive Nvidia semiconductors. This led to significant losses in US tech stocks.

• Government Crackdowns: Several governments are taking action against DeepSeek due to concerns over potential security risks and data leaks through generative AI.

  Countries That Banned DeepSeek:

  • Italy: Launched an investigation and blocked the app from accessing Italian users' data. Italy had previously briefly blocked ChatGPT in 2023.
  • Taiwan: Banned public sector workers and key infrastructure personnel from using DeepSeek, citing national security concerns.
  • Australia: Followed Italy and Taiwan's lead, banning the app.
  • South Korea: Banned DeepSeek on military and government computers, citing security risks. Authorities also removed the app from local app stores while reviewing its data handling practices.
  • United States: Lawmakers proposed a "No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act." Some states, including Texas, Virginia, and New York, have issued state-level bans.

• Privacy Concerns: DeepSeek's terms and conditions mention sharing personal data with third parties, which is similar to other platforms like ChatGPT. However, experts are concerned that in China, companies are legally required to share data with the government, which may undermine user privacy.

• Keystroke Pattern Collection: DeepSeek's privacy policy states it collects keystroke patterns, which tracks how individuals interact with buttons on devices. This raises further concerns about data privacy and security.

• Political Concerns: Taiwan’s AI expert, Isabel Hou, pointed out that DeepSeek might apply Chinese censorship rules even when offering services abroad. Beijing denies this, claiming the bans reflect the politicization of technology and trade rather than legitimate security concerns.

• The Bigger Picture: The rapid rise of DeepSeek is seen as a result of China's massive investment in research and development. China has increased its R&D spending significantly, positioning itself as a top player in the tech industry.

• What’s Next for DeepSeek? DeepSeek relies on the less-advanced H800 chips, which were previously allowed for sale to China under US export controls. This has stirred debate about the ability to achieve similar outcomes with less advanced technology. Experts suggest that countries need to bolster their software development and innovation to stay competitive.