Deepseek shook the world of technology and financial markets when it visited apps that the app stores a few weeks ago, bringing the same kind of high-performance artificial intelligence models as well as established players like Openai and Google. We promised to provide it at a cost.
However, some people in government and data security are worried that China’s relationship with the suddenly popular open source AI assistant could put American data at risk, and that’s what they’ve done last year’s Congressional session. I’m worried that I can compare it to Tiktok, a social media platform that members have voted overwhelmingly.
These concerns are not limited to Deepseek. They should keep in mind that anyone who downloads the AI chatbot app on their phones will waving the national security flag taking place in the legislative hall. Below is an overview of helpful tips.
Recently a pair of US house members Plans to introduce laws have been announced This will ban apps on all government devices and allow the Chinese Communist Party to access data collected by Deepseek and other Chinese-owned apps, and Deepseek will use to spread disinformation in China. It cites possibilities.
“This is a five-aler national security fire,” New Jersey Democrat Josh Gottimer said in a statement that the country could potentially put China in danger of “invading” government official equipment. national security at risk, adding that it cannot be affected.
“I’ve seen the Chinese playbook with Tiktok before, but I can’t allow it to happen again,” Gottimer said.
Australia has banned apps On government devices. Some US states do the same thing Texas It’s the first one. The governor of New York Issued statewide ban on deep sheek in state government devices and systems.
Korean officials have gone a step further. Order to remove that deepseek from the country’s app store Until improvements are made to ensure compliance with South Korea’s data protection laws.
Deepseek’s relationship with China, and its wild popularity in the US and its news stories surrounding it, make a quick comparison with Tiktok, but security experts say Deepseek’s data security threat is realistic But they say it’s different from that social media platforms.
And while DeepSeek might be the hottest new AI assistant, there are a lot of new AI models and versions on the horizon, and it’s important to be aware of when using any kind of AI software.
In the meantime, Dimitri Sirota, CEO of a cybersecurity company specializing in AI security compliance, said it would be a difficult selling point to the average person to avoid using Deepseek.
“I think it’s appealing, especially for those that are in the news,” he said. “I think to some extent people need to make sure they work within a specific set of parameters.”
Why are people worried about deepseek?
Like Tiktok, Deepseek has a connection to China, and user data is sent back to the country’s cloud servers. And like Tiktok, owned by China-based ordinances, Deepseek is required by Chinese law to hand over user data to the government if it asks for it.
On Tiktok, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle were concerned that US user data could be used by the Chinese Communist Party for intelligence purposes, or that the app itself could be altered to flood Chinese propaganda. These concerns ultimately prompted Congress to pass legislation banning Tiktok unless it was sold last year to a buyer deemed appropriate by US officials.
But handling DeepSeek and other AI is not as easy as banning apps. Unlike Tiktok, which businesses, governments and individuals can avoid, Deepsek is something people may encounter and pass on information without knowing it.
The average consumer probably doesn’t even know the AI model they interact with, Shirota said. Many companies already run multiple AI models, and the avatar “brain” or specific AI models can be used to create different AI models in the company’s collection while consumers interact with each other according to which task. You can even “exchange” it. You need to do it.
On the other hand, the topics surrounding AI in general are not being developed immediately. Other companies’ models, including those that will become open source, are also on the way, and can attract the future attention of businesses and consumers.
As a result, focusing on DeepSeek removes only some of the risks of data security, says Kelcey Morgan, Senior Manager of Product Management at Rapid7.
Instead of focusing on models currently in the spotlight, businesses and consumers will understand how much risk they are taking with them with regard to all types of AI and put in place practices designed to protect their data. It must be.
“Next week doesn’t matter what hot,” Morgan said.
Can the Chinese Communist Party use deepseek data for intelligence reporting purposes?
Cybersecurity experts have enough people and processing power in China, mining huge amounts of data collected by DeepSeek, combining it with information from other sources, and profiles American users. They say there is a possibility to build.
“We think we’ve entered a new era where computing is no longer limited,” Shirota points to the capabilities of companies like Palantir Technologies, which means that US agents have a huge amount of data. I pointed out software that allows calculations. He adds that China has the same kind of capabilities.
Like Tiktok users, people playing Deepseek may be younger and relatively unimportant, but China plays long games, and which of them falls into potential targets He’s happy to see if he’ll grow like that, Sirota said. .
Andrew Borene, executive director of Flashpoint, the world’s largest private provider of threat data and intelligence, said Washingtonians have been increasingly aware of these recent years, regardless of political trends.
“We know what policymakers know, what the tech community knows,” he said. “My personal rating is that I don’t know if American consumers necessarily know what those risks are, or where the data goes, or why it is a concern. ”
Borene stressed that people working in the government should exercise “highest level of attention” if they choose to use DeepSeek, but all users must be aware that data is the responsibility of Chinese officials. He said it should be noted that it could go beyond the scope of the
“That’s an important factor to consider,” he said. “I didn’t have to read the privacy policy to know about it.”
Please keep your personal information private.
How to stay safe while using DeepSeek and other AI models
Given that knowing what AI models you are actually using can be a tough time, experts say it’s best to be careful when using any of them.
Here are some tips for doing this:
Just like everything else, you’ll become smarter with AI. Tech’s usual best practices apply here too. Set long, complex and unique passwords, always enable two-factor authentication whenever possible, and update all your devices and software.
Keep personal information private. Think before entering your personal details about yourself in the AI chatbot. Yes, this is like a social security number or banking information that is obviously no, but the kind of thing that might not automatically turn off the alarm bell, such as address, place of employment, name of friends and colleagues. Details are also covered.
I’m skeptical. Just as you pay attention to information requests that are provided in the form of email, text, or social media posts, you should also be concerned about AI queries. Think of it like your first date, Shirota said. If the model asks a strange, personal question when it first time you use it, walk away.
Don’t hurry up and become an early recruit. Just because an AI or app is trending doesn’t mean you need to have it right away, Morgan said. When it comes to software new to the market, decide for yourself how much risk you will take.
Please read the terms of use. Yes, this is a lot to ask, but with apps and software, you need to actually read these statements before handing over the data. . These statements can also provide insight into whether AI or APP collects and shares data from other parts of the device, Borene said. If so, turn off those permissions.
Beware of the American enemies. While China-based apps should be treated with doubt, people from other hostile or government-free states such as Russia, Iran, and North Korea should do so too, Boren said. Regardless of what the terms and conditions say, any privacy rights you may enjoy in places like the US or the European Union will not apply to these apps.
