Global Governments Crack Down on Chinese AI Chatbot DeepSeek Over Security Concerns

Chatbot vs national security? Why DeepSeek is raising concerns

Governments from Rome to Seoul are cracking down on the user-friendly Chinese app, saying they need to prevent potential leaks of sensitive information through generative AI services. Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek upended the global industry and wiped billions off US tech stocks when it unveiled its R1 programme, which it claims was built on cheap, less sophisticated Nvidia semiconductors. But governments from Rome to Seoul are cracking down on the user-friendly Chinese app, saying they need to prevent potential leaks of sensitive information through generative AI services. Who has banned DeepSeek? First to act was Italy, which launched an investigation into DeepSeek and said it was blocking the upstart Chinese app from possessing Italian users' data. Italy's Data Protection Authority had briefly blocked Western competitor ChatGPT in 2023. Next, Taiwan banned workers in the public sector and at key infrastructure facilities from using DeepSeek, saying it was a Chinese product and could endanger national security. Australia following suit days after. Then, South Korean ministries -- including defence and unification, which oversees ties with the nuclear-armed North -- and the country's police force banned the app from military and work computers, citing security risks. On Monday, authorities there said that DeepSeek would not be available from local app stores while a review of its handling of personal data is carried out. US lawmakers have also moved to introduce a "No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act", with Congressman Darin LaHood saying the national security threat that "Chinese Communist Party-affiliated company" DeepSeek posed to the United States was "alarming". State-level bans were also issued in Texas, Virginia and New York. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said personal information "must be protected from malicious espionage operations by the Chinese Communist Party." Why are they worried? In the terms and conditions of DeepSeek, there is a section on the provision of personal data to third parties -- very similar to that used by OpenAI's Chat GPT. But while US companies typically resist government requests for data, "in China when the government requests access, companies are legally obligated to provide user data", said Youm Heung-youl, a data security professor at Soonchunhyang University. "This distinction between respecting user privacy and providing government access often shapes how countries perceive trust in companies." According to DeepSeek's privacy policy, it also collects information on "key stroke patterns or rhythms" which detects how an individual interacts with each button. Is this justified? DeepSeek "have a policy of aligning with the core values of socialism" Isabel Hou, Taiwanese AI expert and secretary-general of Taiwan AI Academy told AFP. For example, sensitive enquiries about Tiananmen Square or Taiwanese statehood -- which would typically be censored in China -- should be possible on DeepSeek elsewhere. "But we find that DeepSeek actually uses the same set of rules when providing services overseas," Hou added. Beijing, for its part, claims the restrictions do not reflect legitimate national security concerns but highlight "the politicisation of economic, trade and technological issues". It says the Chinese government "will never require enterprises or individuals to illegally collect or store data". Is this unexpected? "DeepSeek was launched in May of 2023, and something like this can't just emerge overnight," Park Seung-chan, Chinese studies professor at Yongin University told AFP. Experts point to the enormous amount of research and development (R&D) China has poured into companies in recent years. According to data from the Korea Chamber of Commerce, China ranked second among the world's top R&D investors, following the US, but showed the most significant growth, with its investment volume soaring more than 11-fold over the past decade. "I see this (the release of R1) as a calculated move that was prepared before the Trump era, and we should pay attention to the second and third waves of DeepSeek," said Park. What next? DeepSeek says it uses less-advanced H800 chips -- permitted for sale to China until 2023 under US export controls -- to power its large learning model. While semiconductor exporting powerhouses South Korea and Taiwan have been thriving on sales of cutting-edge chips, DeepSeek has thrown the industry into turmoil. "If DeepSeek really used H800, it means that even without cutting-edge semiconductors, similar outcomes could be achieved with general semiconductors, as long as the software is good," Park Ki-soon, a professor of Chinese economics at Sungkyunkwan University told AFP. "Countries like the US and China are investing massive amounts of talent and resources into software development," he said, adding that DeepSeek showed governments needed to boost this further and "provide support to foster this growth".

Chatbot vs national security? Why DeepSeek is raising concerns

Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek upended the global industry and wiped billions off US tech stocks when it unveiled its R1 programme, which it claims was built on cheap, less sophisticated Nvidia semiconductors. But governments from Rome to Seoul are cracking down on the user-friendly Chinese app, saying they need to prevent potential leaks of sensitive information through generative AI services. First to act was Italy, which launched an investigation into DeepSeek and said it was blocking the upstart Chinese app from possessing Italian users' data. Italy's Data Protection Authority had briefly blocked Western competitor ChatGPT in 2023. Next, Taiwan banned workers in the public sector and at key infrastructure facilities from using DeepSeek, saying it was a Chinese product and could endanger national security. Australia following suit days after. Then, South Korean ministries -- including defence and unification, which oversees ties with the nuclear-armed North -- and the country's police force banned the app from military and work computers, citing security risks. On Monday, authorities there said that DeepSeek would not be available from local app stores while a review of its handling of personal data is carried out. US lawmakers have also moved to introduce a "No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act", with Congressman Darin LaHood saying the national security threat that "Chinese Communist Party-affiliated company" DeepSeek posed to the United States was "alarming". State-level bans were also issued in Texas, Virginia and New York. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said personal information "must be protected from malicious espionage operations by the Chinese Communist Party." Why are they worried? In the terms and conditions of DeepSeek, there is a section on the provision of personal data to third parties -- very similar to that used by OpenAI's Chat GPT. But while US companies typically resist government requests for data, "in China when the government requests access, companies are legally obligated to provide user data", said Youm Heung-youl, a data security professor at Soonchunhyang University. "This distinction between respecting user privacy and providing government access often shapes how countries perceive trust in companies." According to DeepSeek's privacy policy, it also collects information on "key stroke patterns or rhythms" which detects how an individual interacts with each button. Is this justified? DeepSeek "have a policy of aligning with the core values of socialism" Isabel Hou, Taiwanese AI expert and secretary-general of Taiwan AI Academy told AFP. For example, sensitive enquiries about Tiananmen Square or Taiwanese statehood -- which would typically be censored in China -- should be possible on DeepSeek elsewhere. "But we find that DeepSeek actually uses the same set of rules when providing services overseas," Hou added. Beijing, for its part, claims the restrictions do not reflect legitimate national security concerns but highlight "the politicisation of economic, trade and technological issues". It says the Chinese government "will never require enterprises or individuals to illegally collect or store data". Is this unexpected? "DeepSeek was launched in May of 2023, and something like this can't just emerge overnight," Park Seung-chan, Chinese studies professor at Yongin University told AFP. Experts point to the enormous amount of research and development (R&D) China has poured into companies in recent years. According to data from the Korea Chamber of Commerce, China ranked second among the world's top R&D investors, following the US, but showed the most significant growth, with its investment volume soaring more than 11-fold over the past decade. "I see this (the release of R1) as a calculated move that was prepared before the Trump era, and we should pay attention to the second and third waves of DeepSeek," said Park. What next? DeepSeek says it uses less-advanced H800 chips -- permitted for sale to China until 2023 under US export controls -- to power its large learning model. While semiconductor exporting powerhouses South Korea and Taiwan have been thriving on sales of cutting-edge chips, DeepSeek has thrown the industry into turmoil. "If DeepSeek really used H800, it means that even without cutting-edge semiconductors, similar outcomes could be achieved with general semiconductors, as long as the software is good," Park Ki-soon, a professor of Chinese economics at Sungkyunkwan University told AFP. "Countries like the US and China are investing massive amounts of talent and resources into software development," he said, adding that DeepSeek showed governments needed to boost this further and "provide support to foster this growth".

Why DeepSeek is raising red flags for governments worldwide - DeepSeek's global impact

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI chatbot, caused a stir globally by launching its R1 program, claiming it was built with affordable Nvidia chips. This sent shockwaves through the tech industry, causing billions in losses for US companies. Governments worldwide, from Italy to South Korea, are now taking action, worried about the risk of sensitive data leaks through generative AI. Here's what's going on: Italy was the first to act, launching an investigation and blocking DeepSeek from accessing Italian user data. Taiwan followed, banning public sector workers from using the app due to national security concerns. Australia also banned it, and South Korea restricted the app on military and government devices. US lawmakers are pushing for a "No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act," citing national security risks. Texas, Virginia, and New York have also imposed bans, with Texas Governor Greg Abbott highlighting concerns about Chinese espionage.

Security concerns push nations away from DeepSeek revolution

Governments worldwide, including Australia, Italy, Ireland, South Korea, and the Netherlands, are cracking down on DeepSeek's R1 AI model. They are concerned by the model's data collection practices, potential for censorship, and risk of sensitive information being shared with the Chinese government.Authorities across the world are coming down heavily on Chinese AI company DeepSeek's app citing security concerns. Be it Australia, Italy, Ireland, South Korea or the Netherlands - the list is increasing - with governments expressing significant security concerns leading to bans on its use on government devices due to fears about data collection practices, potential censorship, and the possibility of sensitive information being transferred to the Chinese government. Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC), for instance, wrote to Deepseek requesting information on the data processing conducted in relation to data subjects in Ireland. "The DPC has since made further enquiries regarding an alleged data breach suffered by DeepSeek. The DPC is seeking to establish if any Irish users may have been affected," the authority told ET. Similarly, Italy's data protection authority, the Garante said that the investigation into DeepSeek was currently underway and hence, no further information could be provided. However, it directed to its order which put a limitation on processing of Italian users' data. "The limitation order - imposed to protect Italian users' data - follows the companies' communication, whose content was deemed entirely unsatisfactory," the Garante had said in a statement. "Contrary to what was found by the Authority, the companies declared that they do not operate in Italy and that European legislation does not apply to them. In addition to ordering the limitation on processing, the Authority also opened an investigation." Over 13,800 kilometers away, the Australian Ministry of Home Affairs on its part also ordered DeepSeek products, applications and web services to be removed from all Australian Government systems and devices. "After considering threat and risk analysis, I have determined that the use of DeepSeek products, applications and web services poses an unacceptable level of security risk to the Australian Government," Stephanie Foster PSM, Secretary, Department of Home Affairs said on February 4. "Entities must manage the risks arising from DeepSeek's extensive collection of data and exposure of that data to extrajudicial directions from a foreign government that conflict with Australian law." Security experts ET spoke to said that these were legitimate fears that countries had, especially for a country like India which shares a border with China. ET had reported last week that the Indian government too may soon issue an advisory against DeepSeek's app. "The concerns are valid and similar to TikTok," Glenn S. Gerstell, former general counsel of the National Security Agency (NSA) told ET. "There are two things that are concerning because of the Chinese ownership - the potential collection and misuse of personal data collected through the application and the other is the manipulation of content, which is a little more worrisome in the case of TikTok." Even so, he said DeepSeek can generate incorrect and politically motivated answers. "In any case, the situation is more acute for India, because unlike the US, there have already been border skirmishes between the two countries," Gerstell added. He said that the larger question that this throws up is of how most of the free world wants to deal with the rise of Chinese technology. "Earlier, Chinese technology wasn't a competitive threat and didn't have such high penetration in the western world," he explained. "Now we see the Chinese are able to innovate and come out with tech that matches Silicon Valley. We don't have a clear and integrated way of assessing the risks of Chinese technology or a coherent, well thought out way to address the threats while still reaping the benefits." However, others like Stewart Baker, Assistant Secretary for Policy at the Department of Homeland Security felt the comparison with TikTok was not a like-to-like comparison as DeepSeek is open source. "DeepSeek is an open source product, a lot of the thinking and methodology behind it is open source so it ought to be possible to take DeepSeek's contribution to AI - which is real - and put that into a localized version that does not share information with the Chinese government or is not able to share it." He said the simple solution then would be to have some form of regulation that is not "very onerous" that so that anybody who wanted to be in the business of providing DeepSeek services could set up a company that was local to India and provide services that are very similar to what DeepSeek currently provides with the data stored locally.