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DeepSeek: The Threat of Chinese Technology to US National Security
Mere weeks after TikTok was banned (and subsequently un-banned) for use in the US, another Chinese app has been crowned the top US national security concern. The sudden popularity of DeepSeek, the Chinese AI chatbot app, has caused US lawmakers to look closely into the company’s connections to the People’s Republic of China and question how significant a threat it poses to national security.
DeepSeek’s Sudden Rise in Popularity
In late January, DeepSeek released its new model, DeepSeek R1, claiming that it rivals the technology used by OpenAI’s ChatGPT and had cost much less to create. The release sparked a panic among US technology investors, which sent Nvidia’s stocks into a nosedive.
It also set off alarm bells among security experts, who say the app poses unknown risks in the areas of data privacy, ethics, regulation compliance, and national security. In fact, some security experts warn that DeepSeek is potentially more dangerous than TikTok, which is still under threat of being re-banned in the US.
According to security experts, DeepSeek’s danger lies in several areas:
- National security: Researchers have discovered a code on the DeepSeek log-in page that can potentially send user information to China Mobile, a state-owned communications company that the FCC banned from operating in the US in 2019, citing national security concerns.
- Exploitation by cybercriminals: Research shows that DeepSeek R1 is 11x more likely to be exploited by cybercriminals than other AI platforms.
- Non-compliance: In late January, Italy implemented a nationwide ban of the app, citing potential data breaches by DeepSeek’s parent companies, which have not proven that they are GDPR (European data protection law) compliant.
Steps to Ban DeepSeek in the US
A newly proposed bill, sponsored by Republican Senator Josh Hawley, would punish those who use Chinese “technology or intellectual property,” including, but not limited to, DeepSeek. If passed, those who ignore the ban will face heavy fines or even jail time.
While it may seem extreme, a ban on DeepSeek is not that far-fetched. Italy has already issued a country-wide ban, while Taiwan and Australia have banned its use by government agencies.
DeepSeek is also banned by the US Navy and NASA, while several states are considering local bans.
The US vs. China
Bans on Chinese technology are symptoms of a deeper enmity between many Western countries, particularly the US, and the strong Eastern superpower. The US and China are not only ideologically opposed, but are also economic rivals, and both are vying for global dominion.
US relations with China are sometimes more relaxed or more strained — this usually depends on the US president, Chinese leadership, and the zeitgeist of the times.
President Trump certainly has a hawkish approach to Chinese trade and technology, and recently imposed a 10% tax on all Chinese goods coming into the country. The Chinese have already labeled the tariff as “discriminatory and protectionist” and have filed a complaint at the World Trade Organization.
The concerns over Chinese technology as a threat to US national security are undoubtedly intertwined with the fierce economic competition between the two. In the first month of his presidency, President Trump has yet to make a firm decision on how to handle his administration’s relationship, or lack thereof, with Beijing. Each leader has issued threats of a trade war, however, it appears that the high costs of such a move are forcing them both to show restraint. This concept may likewise apply to technology, though the precise policy President Trump will pursue are yet unknown.