On March 3, Representative Josh Gottheimer and Darin LaHood introduced “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act,” which aims to ban Chinese AI tools such as DeepSeek from being used in sensitive governmental operations, citing national security and data privacy risks, following Australia’s lead.
In a letter addressed to 47 US governors and Muriel Bowser the mayor of Washington, DC, the lawmakers expressed concerns over DeepSeek AI China and its potential for data breaches and cyber espionage.
“This technology could be used to exploit sensitive government data and undermine our cybersecurity,” Gottheimer and LaHood stated, as reported by NBC News.
While the Chinese tech sector is under scrutiny all the time, their US rivals tend to escape with the same secrecy about data protection and privacy. Is the US purposely suppressing foreign technology while shielding its own companies from the same investigations to maintain a competitive edge?
Chinese AI and Information Warfare
China has tone down the allegation that DeepSeek AI is a threat to security because its not to its benefit. Cyber security experts, though, claim that AI technologies like DeepSeek form an essential component of the state’s surveillance framework as a whole. Indicators showed that AI based biometric data collection and social media surveillance form part of China’s security system.
Companies such as TopSec, QAX, and NetEase top players in China’s surveillance sector are already deploying DeepSeek, augmenting their cyber censorship and public tracking strength.
A Canadian cybersecurity firm, Feroot Security, recently discovered a hidden script within DeepSeek’s login system that transfers user data to China Mobile, a state owned telecommunications provider.
The Associated Press called the code “heavily obfuscated,” and it was difficult to identify and break down. China Mobile was blocked in the United States in 2019 due to concerns over its alleged links to Chinese military intelligence.
The US Got its Eyes on Chinese DeepSeek
DeepSeek is not just a potential tool for domestic surveillance, it has reportedly been used for influence campaigns targeting the US and other countries. OpenAI’s February report revealed that Chinese actors were leveraging AI models, including ChatGPT and DeepSeek, to generate phishing emails and misinformation campaigns.
One of these operations, Qianyue Overseas Public Opinion AI Assistant, was established to track global discussions of Chinese human rights and politics.
The Chinese AI was reportedly used to warn Chinese embassies and intelligence agencies of protests and dissidence around the globe. Chinese influence operations have also spread AI-generated narratives in Spanish language media, portraying the US as a declining power while demonstrating China DeepSeek to be a stabilizing force globally.
The Bigger Picture
While US AI is also prompted to identify potential security threats in Chinese technology, its own tech firms rarely face the same open scrutiny. US companies like Google, Meta, and Microsoft have faced allegations of data hacking, surveillance of users, and excessive surveillance policies. Yet such cases are dealt with quietly by means of regulatory fines rather than broad prohibitions.
As the US moves towards banning DeepSeek AI, the consequences of AI checking and info warfare remain unsettled. If indeed the US cares about cybersecurity and protecting their users, the scrutiny of local tech companies is a must as it puts on its global rivals.
Inside Telecom provides you with an extensive list of content covering all aspects of the tech industry. Keep an eye on our Intelligent Tech sections to stay informed and up-to-date with our daily articles.