In recent weeks, several countries have moved to block access to DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup’s latest program, citing significant security and privacy concerns. This has raised alarms globally regarding the safety of government and private sector data when interacting with foreign technologies, especially AI tools like DeepSeek’s chatbot. Among the countries that have enacted or are considering such bans are South Korea, Australia, Italy, Taiwan, and the United States, all of whom cite worries about how user data is handled, as well as potential risks of espionage and foreign influence.
DeepSeek, which emerged as a serious competitor in the AI industry only a year ago, has quickly gained attention not only for the capabilities of its AI chatbot but also due to its incredibly low development costs compared to major US-based companies like OpenAI and Google. However, its Chinese origins, combined with concerns about its data management practices, have led to significant scrutiny from governments around the world. The latest developments surrounding DeepSeek and its controversial rise to prominence have stirred fears about the increasing dominance of Chinese technology and the possible implications for privacy and national security.
What is DeepSeek?
DeepSeek is an artificial intelligence startup based in Hangzhou, China, founded in 2023 by Liang Feng, an entrepreneur known for his prior success with the $7 billion hedge fund group, High-Flyer. The company’s latest product, the DeepSeek R1, is an AI-powered chatbot similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, but with a much lower cost of development. Unlike traditional AI models like GPT-4, which requires multi-billion-dollar investments, DeepSeek’s model was built for a fraction of that cost. In December 2023, DeepSeek made headlines by publishing a paper revealing that training their AI model only cost around $6 million—an astonishingly low amount in comparison to the $100 million spent by OpenAI on GPT-4.
Released publicly on January 20, 2024, the DeepSeek R1 chatbot quickly gained traction and topped the Apple App Store charts just a week later. Its affordability and capabilities have made it a popular tool, especially in a global market where AI technologies are increasingly shaping everything from communication to business processes.
How does DeepSeek differ from ChatGPT and other AI programs?
The major difference between DeepSeek’s AI program and others like OpenAI’s ChatGPT lies in the cost of development and the level of resources required to operate it. While major AI models such as GPT-4 from OpenAI or Gemini from Google require massive computing power, often reaching budgets in the hundreds of millions, DeepSeek has managed to develop its chatbot for a fraction of the cost. The Chinese startup’s success in achieving this efficiency has caused major disruption, especially for companies like Nvidia, which provides the semiconductors necessary for running AI models.
However, beyond its low operational cost, DeepSeek’s AI chatbot operates on a similar principle to other models in the market: it processes large amounts of data to simulate human conversation. It can perform tasks such as answering questions, drafting text, solving problems, and even creating code. But with DeepSeek’s rapid rise to prominence, concerns have begun to mount regarding its origins, management practices, and what data it collects from users.
Which countries are banning DeepSeek’s AI program?
Several countries have expressed security concerns over the use of DeepSeek’s AI program, leading them to block its use on government-owned devices. Here are the key countries that have either enacted or are considering bans:
1. United States: The United States government has joined the ranks of countries expressing concerns about DeepSeek’s AI software. The US has been debating whether to block DeepSeek from devices used by government employees. NASA, for example, blocked DeepSeek from its systems on January 31, 2024, while the US Navy had issued a warning to its personnel to avoid using the service. Lawmakers are also reportedly planning to introduce a bill to prohibit the use of DeepSeek on government-owned devices.
2. South Korea: In South Korea, government officials announced that the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy had temporarily banned DeepSeek from the devices of its employees. This decision was made due to concerns regarding the security of personal and government data. In addition to this, the Personal Information Protection Commission of South Korea requested clarification from DeepSeek about how it handles user data.
3. Australia: Australia moved swiftly to block DeepSeek from being used on any government devices, citing national security concerns. The Department of Home Affairs ordered that the AI software be removed from government systems, with the government fearing potential risks to the country’s security and national interests.
4. Italy: Italy has also raised alarms about DeepSeek’s data privacy practices. The Italian Data Protection Authority, known as Garante, imposed a restriction on the processing of Italian users’ data by DeepSeek. Authorities are concerned about the lack of transparency regarding how the company handles personal data. Italy is continuing to investigate how user data is managed and shared.
5. Taiwan: Taiwan has prohibited government agencies from using DeepSeek, following similar security concerns and fears regarding potential espionage. The Taiwanese government is following in the footsteps of other nations in blocking access to the platform over security risks.
Why are countries banning DeepSeek?
The key reason why several countries have blocked or are considering blocking DeepSeek’s AI program is due to national security concerns. DeepSeek, being a Chinese company, is seen as operating under the jurisdiction of Chinese laws, which include the controversial National Intelligence Law. This law theoretically enables the Chinese government to access corporate data from Chinese companies, raising concerns about the potential misuse of personal data for espionage or surveillance purposes.
In particular, governments fear that personal data collected by DeepSeek could be shared with the Chinese government, a claim that has been made by cybersecurity experts. According to reports, DeepSeek’s AI software allegedly has the capacity to send user data to Chinese government-controlled entities such as China Mobile. This has raised significant red flags for security agencies across the world.
DeepSeek’s privacy policy indicates that the company collects personal data from users, including contact information, chat history, and technical details about the user’s device and network. This data can be shared with service providers and advertising partners, further adding to concerns about how the information is used.
Are these concerns unusual?
It’s important to note that the collection of personal data by tech companies is not unique to DeepSeek. Many Western tech giants, including Meta, Google, and OpenAI, also collect vast amounts of user data for purposes like targeted advertising and refining algorithms. However, these companies operate under the scrutiny of Western regulations, such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which places strict limits on how personal data can be used.
The difference lies in the jurisdiction under which DeepSeek operates. Western governments view Chinese tech companies differently, fearing that they may be subject to government oversight and control in ways that Western companies are not. As a result, while the data collection practices of DeepSeek are not entirely out of the ordinary, the involvement of the Chinese government has made it a national security concern for many countries.
Beyond security concerns
While the primary reasons for blocking DeepSeek stem from security and data privacy concerns, there are additional factors at play. Critics have also raised ethical questions about AI usage, particularly in academic and workplace settings. These concerns include issues like bias in AI decision-making, copyright violations, and the potential impact of large language models on creativity and original content creation. Some have worried that widespread use of AI chatbots could lead to the erosion of critical thinking skills, with people increasingly relying on machines for tasks that require human intuition and expertise.
The bigger picture
The rise of DeepSeek highlights the growing global competition for dominance in the AI industry. It also underscores the challenges governments face in balancing the development of advanced technologies with the protection of national security. As AI systems continue to evolve, the question of how to regulate them will remain at the forefront of international discussions, particularly when it comes to data privacy, national security, and ethical considerations.
In conclusion, while DeepSeek’s AI chatbot has impressed many with its affordability and capabilities, it has also raised significant concerns about the security risks associated with Chinese technology. As governments across the world continue to grapple with these challenges, it remains to be seen how DeepSeek will navigate the complex web of international regulations and concerns surrounding its operations. For now, its future outside of China appears uncertain, with bans and restrictions being enforced in key markets.
