Privacy concerns surround China-based AI start-up DeepSeek as researchers uncover concerning code
The recent revelation of concerning code within China-based AI start-up DeepSeek has sparked a privacy furore, with cybersecurity experts uncovering a hidden data pipeline to China Mobile servers. Feroot Security, a cybersecurity firm based in Ontario, exposed the direct data transmission from DeepSeek to China Mobile, raising alarms about potential privacy breaches and national security risks.
China Mobile, the world’s largest mobile operator, has faced bans and delisting from the US market due to concerns about unauthorized access to customer data and potential threats to national security. The discovery of DeepSeek’s hidden code linking user data to Chinese servers controlled by the government has raised red flags among cybersecurity experts and government agencies worldwide.
Despite its rapid rise to the top of app store download charts and its low-cost AI models attracting attention from European start-ups, DeepSeek has already been banned in several countries over national security concerns. Italy, Australia, South Australia, Taiwan, and Texas have all taken steps to block DeepSeek from government devices, citing unacceptable risks to data security and privacy.
Moreover, the White House and federal US agencies are investigating the national security implications of DeepSeek, with potential bans looming in Belgium, France, Ireland, South Korea, India, and the Netherlands. Republican Senator Josh Hawley has even introduced a bill to prohibit the use of Chinese AI technologies like DeepSeek, threatening hefty fines and jail time for violators.
The controversy surrounding DeepSeek highlights the growing concerns about data privacy, national security, and the influence of Chinese tech companies on global markets. As more countries consider banning DeepSeek and other Chinese AI technologies, the debate over data protection and cybersecurity in the digital age continues to intensify. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
