DeepSeek’s Rise Sparks Security Concerns—Could a Ban Be Next?

Chinese AI app DeepSeek has surged past ChatGPT as the No. 1 downloaded free app, alarming national security experts over China’s data-sharing laws. Now, bans are spreading fast, and calls for government intervention are growing.

Key Takeaways:

1️⃣ DeepSeek’s Explosive Growth

• The app skyrocketed to No. 1 on the App Store last week, surpassing ChatGPT.
• Millions of Americans are using it for AI-powered search, but security risks loom.

2️⃣ Bans Already Taking Effect

• Governments worldwide are moving quickly to block DeepSeek, including:
  • NASA
  • U.S. Navy
  • State of Texas
  • Taiwan & Italy
• A legal ban similar to TikTok could be next.

3️⃣ Security & Privacy Concerns

• Cybersecurity firms found data vulnerabilities that could lead to leaks and tracking.
• National security analysts warn that DeepSeek's privacy policy offers no real protection.
• Experts say China could harvest 20x more user data than a Google search.

4️⃣ A Geopolitical Battleground

• AI experts warn that China could use DeepSeek’s query patterns to map U.S. industry trends and manipulate narratives.
• Open-source AI models like DeepSeek could give China access to U.S. supply chains, influencing global tech competition.

5️⃣ Could the U.S. Ban DeepSeek?

• The same law used to ban TikTok could apply to DeepSeek.
• Biden administration officials are monitoring the situation.
• U.S. tech giants are expected to lobby hard for government action to prevent China from cornering the AI market.

6️⃣ ChatGPT Still Leads AI Market, But DeepSeek is Gaining

• OpenAI is reportedly in talks for a $40B funding round, maintaining a significant edge.
• ChatGPT still sees millions more daily visits, but DeepSeek’s momentum is undeniable.

Why It Matters

DeepSeek’s rapid rise highlights growing U.S.-China tensions over AI dominance.

With national security concerns mounting, will the U.S. move to ban DeepSeek? The debate is just beginning.