DeepSeek faces bans over security concerns, echoing TikTok's fate

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, which quickly became a popular alternative to ChatGPT, is now facing bans in multiple countries over data privacy and security concerns. The situation mirrors the fate of TikTok, another Chinese app that has been banned or restricted in several nations due to similar fears.

Why Is DeepSeek Being Banned?

DeepSeek gained widespread attention for being a faster and cheaper AI alternative to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. The app became the most downloaded AI tool in the U.S., praised for its efficiency and ability to run on less powerful chips. However, it is now under scrutiny, with governments citing serious national security risks.

Key Concerns:

National Security Risks: Some countries fear that DeepSeek’s AI could be exploited for espionage, stealing sensitive data, and influencing public opinion.

Data Privacy Issues: The app's privacy policy states that it collects user data such as IP addresses, keystroke patterns, and conversation history. This data is stored on servers in China and could be shared with law enforcement at the company's discretion.

Misinformation Risks: Users have reported that DeepSeek’s AI avoids answering politically sensitive questions, such as those related to the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, and promotes narratives aligned with the Chinese government.

Security Threats: Experts warn that DeepSeek’s data collection methods could pose a larger security risk than TikTok, as the AI model could be used to identify vulnerabilities at scale.

The Global Response

Following these concerns, South Korea has officially banned DeepSeek. Other countries, including the U.S., Canada, Taiwan, and New Zealand, are considering similar actions. Analysts argue that unchecked AI tools like DeepSeek could enable disinformation campaigns and cyber threats, undermining public trust and national security.

Echoes of the TikTok Ban

TikTok faced bans in India and restrictions in countries like the U.S. over fears of mass data collection and potential misuse by the Chinese government. DeepSeek’s growing influence is now drawing the same level of concern, with experts warning that AI-powered tools could become even more dangerous if misused.

Ben Winters, director of AI and data privacy at the Consumer Federation of America, summed up the situation: “This has the echoes of the TikTok ban—there are real privacy and security risks in how these companies operate.”

As governments worldwide debate how to handle AI security threats, DeepSeek’s future remains uncertain. Will it find a way to comply with global regulations, or will it face the same fate as TikTok?