US lawmakers are pushing for the DeepSeek ban after security researchers discovered they were transferring user data to state-owned companies whose apps were banned.
Virtually unknown Deepseek took Tech World by storm just a few weeks ago. It has been praised worldwide for its cutting-edge performance, while sparking debates reminiscent of the Tiktok Saga.
That rise is driven in part by its business model. Unlike many of our American counterparts, including Openai and Google, Deepseek offered advanced power for free.
However, concerns have been raised about Deepseek’s widespread data collection practices, and probes have been launched by Microsoft and Openai for the latter system violations by a group allegedly linked to a Chinese AI startup.
Threat AI control against us
Deepseek’s incredible capabilities have been positioned within weeks as a major competitor to American AI Stalwarts, such as Openai’s ChatGpt and Google Gemini. But alongside the app’s prowess, concerns have emerged over alleged ties with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Security researchers found that Hidden Code within Deepseek’s AI is sending user data to China Mobile, a state-owned telecommunications company that is banned in the US. Deepseek’s proprietary privacy policy allows the collection of data such as IP addresses, device information and, most surprisingly, keystroke patterns.
Such findings have led to bipartisan efforts in the US Congress, and lawmakers are rushing to protect sensitive data from potential CCP surveillance to reduce the impact of deep seeking.
Darin Lahood (R-IL) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) are leading efforts to introduce legislation that prohibits Deepseek from installing on all government-issued devices.
Several federal agencies, including NASA and the US Navy, have already issued a preemptive ban on DeepSeek. Similarly, Texas has implemented restrictions.
Is there a possibility that Deepseek A Tiktok Redux will be banned?
The debate over Deepseek is similar to that over Tiktok, a social video app owned by the Chinese company’s integrator. Tiktok has been attacked against accusations that user data has access to CCP, but no conclusive proof has yet to be realized.
In contrast, the Deepseek case contains clear evidence, as revealed by cybersecurity investigators who identified the app’s fraudulent data transmission. While some may say Deepseek reflects the Tiktok controversy, security experts argue it represents a highly Starker documented threat.
Lawmakers around the world are paying attention. In addition to the US proposal, Deepseek is already facing bans from government systems in countries, including Australia, South Korea and Italy.
AI becomes a geopolitical battlefield
Concerns about DeepSeek exemplify how AI has now become a geopolitical flashpoint among global superpowers. Especially between the US and China.
American AI companies like Openai have gained dominant positions in recent years, but Chinese companies have caught up and in some cases put more resources than their US competitors.
Deepseek’s Lightning-Quick growth is not only balanced by AI models but also because of its pricing strategy. It asks the question of whether it is really “free” or whether the costs are being paid out with something lost in privacy and security.
China’s mobile involvement raises even more brows given the previous sanctions of state-owned telecoms and the ban from the US market. Critics worry that data collected through platforms like Deepseek can bridge gaps in China’s surveillance activities and potential economic manipulation.
Nationwide Deepseek bans are listed on the card
If proposed US laws are passed, it could represent a first step towards a nationwide restriction or a complete ban on DeepSeek. Geopolitical tensions in China and the West continue to shape advanced technological policies, and AI appears to be the latest arena for this ongoing chessmatch.
In the meantime, calls to regulate applications like DeepSeek can be huge. Conversations about data privacy, national security, and ethical boundaries in AI development are becoming increasingly urgent as individuals and organizations around the world navigate the promises and pitfalls of next-generation tools.
The rise in Deepseek may have actually rattled the AI tier, but it remains to be seen whether it will be able to maintain momentum in the face of an increasing global pushback.
(Photo: Solen Feyissa)
See also: Avaxai brings Deepseek to Web3 using a distributed AI agent
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