A bipartisan congressional bill is currently under consideration to outlaw the use of China’s cutting-edge DeepSeek artificial intelligence software on government devices. Representatives Darin LaHood, from Illinois, and Josh Gottheimer, from New Jersey, are spearheading the proposed legislation on the grounds of national security, citing concerns that the technology developed by this Chinese company poses a significant espionage risk.
In a press statement, LaHood emphasized the importance of the technological competition with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), stating that the United States cannot afford to fall behind. He expressed deep alarm at the potential national security threat presented by DeepSeek, a company with ties to the CCP, highlighting the company’s generative AI program’s capability to access and retain data from U.S. users for potential use by Chinese authorities.
An examination conducted by Ivan Tsarynny, the CEO of Feroot Security, a firm specializing in data protection and cybersecurity, revealed that the chatbot app linked with DeepSeek contains concealed code that could transmit user login details to China Mobile, a state-owned telecommunications company prohibited from operating within the United States.
Gottheimer echoed LaHood’s concerns, stressing the absolute necessity of preventing a CCP-affiliated entity from obtaining sensitive government or personal data. The Chinese Foreign Ministry responded, voicing opposition to the broadening of national security concepts and the politicization of economic and technological issues, while asserting that the Chinese government places significant emphasis on and legally safeguards data privacy and security.
While attempts to reach out to DeepSeek for comment were unsuccessful, reports indicate that multiple governments, including those of South Korea, Italy, Australia, and Taiwan, have issued warnings or imposed restrictions on the usage of DeepSeek due to security apprehensions. Established in 2023, DeepSeek garnered significant attention in the U.S. recently for purportedly achieving superior AI outcomes at a fraction of the cost compared to American tech companies.
Despite ongoing debates regarding the accuracy of these reports, concerns persist among experts like Tsarynny, who underscore the potential risks of allowing a foreign entity to access and monitor Americans without appropriate safeguards in place. The significance of these findings has prompted further scrutiny and calls for decisive action to protect critical data and national security interests.
