U.S. targets Chinese AI firm DeepSeek over security concerns

DeepSeek logo/ Reuters-Yonhap

SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - The Trump administration, together with Congress, is ramping up pressure on Chinese artificial intelligence firm DeepSeek, tightening sanctions amid growing worries over national security threats. On Thursday, the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party released a report describing DeepSeek as a “profound threat” to American interests.

While the company presents itself as a standard AI chatbot provider, the report alleges that its platform is built on technology that poses serious risks. “DeepSeek’s app appears to be a typical AI chatbot, but in reality, it relies on a model that allows data to leak to China, creates security vulnerabilities for users, and secretly censors and manipulates information in accordance with Chinese law,” the committee wrote. It further claimed that the model was likely developed using stolen U.S. technology, including semiconductor chips that are barred from export to China.

The committee also highlighted the company’s deep ties to the Chinese government. Founder Liang Wenfeng is reportedly linked to hardware distributors and state-affiliated research institutions. Citing cybersecurity firm Feroot Security, the report accused DeepSeek of collecting large volumes of user data and transmitting it through infrastructure connected to China Mobile, a government-owned telecom provider.

“While the extent of data transmission has not yet been confirmed, DeepSeek’s integration with China Mobile infrastructure raises serious concerns about potential access to personal information of Americans,” the report said. It also pointed to previous allegations from OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, suggesting DeepSeek may have illegally copied its underlying technology.

In light of these concerns, the committee is urging the U.S. government to tighten export controls on AI chips and to closely monitor shipments to countries seen as high-risk for re-export to China, including Singapore. The New York Times reported that the Trump administration is weighing punitive actions to block DeepSeek from accessing U.S. technology altogether.

Meanwhile, lawmakers have launched a separate investigation into Nvidia’s chip sales in Asia. The committee is examining whether the U.S. chipmaker knowingly supplied AI technology to DeepSeek in violation of existing regulations. According to a committee official quoted by the New York Times, Nvidia has been ordered to hand over detailed records of all customers in 11 Asian countries within two weeks. The committee has subpoena authority if needed, the official added.

Candice Kim candicekim1121@ajupress.com