The Chinese artificial intelligence tool DeepSeek AI has raised serious national security concerns in the United States, with a recent report from a US congressional committee calling it a “profound threat” to the nation’s security. The tool has been closely linked to the Chinese Communist Party and is accused of undermining US technological leadership while posing risks to critical American policies aimed at protecting national security.
According to the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, DeepSeek, though marketed as a simple AI chatbot, secretly siphons data back to the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The report further revealed that the app creates security vulnerabilities for its users and engages in covert censorship and manipulation of information in compliance with Chinese law.
DeepSeek’s Ties to China’s Military and Surveillance Infrastructure
The committee’s report also raised concerns about DeepSeek’s connections to military research and strategic labs in China, particularly the Zhejiang Lab, which is key to advancing China’s technological capabilities. The committee believes that the tool functions as an open-source intelligence asset, feeding American user data into China’s security and surveillance systems. The report went on to say,
“With its direct ties to China’s security and surveillance infrastructure and its unchecked data collection practices, (DeepSeek) can function as an open-source intelligence asset feeding American user data into an adversarial system.”
A significant issue highlighted by the committee is DeepSeek’s integration with Chinese tech giants like ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, and Tencent. Research from Feroot Security also confirmed that DeepSeek’s operations are sending American user data back to China via “back-end infrastructure connected to China Mobile.” The committee called China Mobile a “military-related” company, reinforcing the tool’s dangerous connection to China’s broader surveillance and data collection network.
DeepSeek AI Popularity and the Global Backlash
Despite the growing concerns, DeepSeek quickly gained popularity, overtaking ChatGPT as the top-ranked free app on Apple’s App Store. Its low-cost model and wide appeal have made it a significant player in the AI space. However, the increasing concerns over data privacy have led to countries like India placing restrictions on officials’ access to DeepSeek due to fears of data leaks. The US Committee has also raised concerns about how DeepSeek’s operations could potentially compromise American data.
The committee’s report warns that Beijing is not just censoring the internet at home but is embedding its “Great Firewall” into platforms used worldwide, including those by American users. It said,
“The danger is clear: millions of Americans are now using an AI system designed to serve the CCP. Beijing is not just censoring the internet at home, it is embedding its Great Firewall into platforms Americans use every day.”
US-China Tensions
This report comes amid heightened tensions between the US and China, with both nations imposing tariffs on each other’s goods. The report has also raised alarms over how the Chinese government is using its technological influence to expand its global control over the digital landscape. It describes the growing use of AI systems like DeepSeek as a tool for China to carry out its objectives without the public being aware of the implications.
As the debate over DeepSeek and its potential risks continues, both countries are looking closely at how emerging AI technologies could shape global security. The revelations from the committee add to ongoing discussions around the role of AI and data privacy, particularly in terms of cross-border data flows and the potential for misuse by authoritarian regimes.
