Experts Have Urged Caution Over Rapidly Embracing the Chinese Artificial Intelligence Platform DeepSeek
The rise of the Chinese AI platform DeepSeek has gained massive attention, but experts are urging caution due to concerns about data privacy, misinformation, and government influence. While the platform’s low-cost nature and impressive capabilities have made it a disruptive force in the tech world, its connection to China raises serious security questions.
National Security and Data Privacy Concerns
UK officials have expressed significant concerns about the potential risks to national security posed by DeepSeek. Despite the platform’s popularity—becoming the most downloaded app in both the UK and US—officials are monitoring how it impacts user data. The rapid rise of DeepSeek, which wiped $1 trillion off US tech stocks, signals a growing disruption in the AI landscape.
However, its benefits come with potential drawbacks. Michael Wooldridge, a professor of AI at Oxford University, highlighted that while it’s fine to use DeepSeek for casual inquiries, users should avoid entering any sensitive or personal information.
“I think it’s fine to download it and ask it about the performance of Liverpool football club or chat about the history of the Roman empire, but would I recommend putting anything sensitive or personal or private on them? Absolutely not… Because you don’t know where the data goes.”
Chinese Government’s Influence
One of the most alarming concerns regarding DeepSeek is the influence of the Chinese government. Experts fear that the platform’s data could be subject to Chinese government control, particularly given China’s strict regulations over information and technology. Dame Wendy Hall, a member of the UN advisory body on AI, explained, “You can’t get away from the fact that if you are a Chinese tech company dealing with information, you are subject to the Chinese government’s rules on what you can and cannot say.”
This poses significant risks, especially in terms of censorship and surveillance. DeepSeek could potentially be used as a tool for state control, manipulating the flow of information to favor government narratives. Ross Burley, co-founder of the Centre for Information Resilience, warned that if left unchecked, the platform could exacerbate misinformation, undermining public trust.
“We’ve seen time and again how Beijing weaponizes its tech dominance for surveillance, control, and coercion, both domestically and abroad.”
Misinformation and Censorship Risks
A significant issue with DeepSeek is its tendency to censor sensitive topics. Users have reported that it avoids discussing certain controversial subjects, such as the Tiananmen Square massacre and Taiwan’s status, instead aligning with the official Chinese narrative. AI expert Azeem Azhar found that when he asked about the Tiananmen Square protests, DeepSeek provided a limited and censored response, only acknowledging the violent crackdown but failing to provide detailed information.
This selective handling of historical events raises concerns about the accuracy and integrity of the information provided. For users relying on DeepSeek for knowledge, this bias could lead to distorted views of important global events.
Privacy and Data Usage
Another critical issue is DeepSeek’s approach to data privacy. The platform stores user data on servers located in China, which presents a significant concern given China’s national intelligence law. This law requires companies to cooperate with the government’s intelligence efforts, meaning DeepSeek could be forced to share user data with the state.
Conclusion: Proceed with Caution
As DeepSeek continues to grow in popularity, users must understand the potential risks involved. While the platform offers a promising, low-cost alternative to other AI models, its ties to the Chinese government, censorship practices, and data privacy concerns warrant careful consideration.
As UK technology secretary Peter Kyle remarked, “I think people need to make their own choices about this right now, because we haven’t had time to fully understand it… this is a Chinese model that… has censorship built into it.”
Ultimately, users must weigh the benefits of DeepSeek against its potential risks, especially when it comes to personal data security and the potential for misinformation.
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