DIGITAL LIFE

United States and Europe strengthen restrictions on DeepSeek due to fears of Chinese state espionage

The advancement of DeepSeek, the Chinese artificial intelligence platform that has become popular for its performance and low cost, has generated a global wave of restrictions. Western governments fear that the service will allow the Chinese state to access confidential data of citizens and institutions, reviving geopolitical concerns and technological disputes.

The rapid growth of DeepSeek since its launch in early 2025 has attracted worldwide attention not only for its technical capabilities, but also for the associated political risks. The United States, Europe, and Asian countries have begun restricting the use of the tool in government networks, citing threats to national security and the confidentiality of information. At the heart of the controversy is Chinese legislation, which requires technology companies to share data with the government when requested.

Since January 2025, at least 17 US states have banned the use of DeepSeek in government systems. Among them are Texas, New York, Virginia, Tennessee, Iowa, and Georgia. The measure follows recommendations from a report published by the Congressional Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, which states that the application can divert data to servers in China and that its language model operates under mandatory censorship according to Chinese law.

The Pentagon, the Navy, and federal agencies such as NASA and the Department of Commerce have also blocked internal access to the platform. For military agencies, the risk is not limited to data leaks, but also to the possibility of manipulation of sensitive information.

Despite the restrictions, there is no prohibition on the personal use of the platform by citizens or private companies within the US. Still, experts indicate that distrust may discourage its commercial adoption.

Chinese data policy and legislation...The main source of concern is China's National Intelligence Law, which stipulates that companies in the country must cooperate with the government in cases of state interest. DeepSeek itself states that queries, messages, and files sent by users are stored on servers located in China.

Researchers and authorities fear that this information could be used for political espionage, economic monitoring, or social engineering, especially if accessed by intelligence agencies.

The concern about DeepSeek has gone beyond the US. South Korea, the Czech Republic, Taiwan, and Australia have blocked the chatbot on all official devices. Italy has completely banned the application due to privacy concerns. Germany has pressured Apple and Google to remove the app from their stores. Other European countries, such as France, Ireland, and Portugal, are considering similar measures.

On the other hand, the scenario is different in Africa and Latin America, where the platform has quickly become popular. For these countries, DeepSeek offers access to advanced AI at a lower cost, strengthening China's technological presence and expanding its geopolitical influence.

In the US Congress, lawmakers have proposed bills to completely ban the use of the platform on federal devices and restrict investments in Chinese AI technologies. So far, none of the initiatives have been approved, but the trend indicates that tensions in the sector are likely to increase.

The DeepSeek case reveals how AI has become a strategic field in international politics. The dispute is not limited to technological innovation: it involves data control, global influence, and digital sovereignty.

While governments try to balance privacy, competitiveness, and national security, the Chinese platform continues to grow in regions where the debate is less sensitive or where the need for technological access outweighs geopolitical concerns.

DeepSeek collects a vast range of users' personal data, raising serious concerns about privacy and the possibility of espionage, especially given China's national security laws that may require data sharing with authorities.

Data Collection Practices:

According to its own privacy policy, DeepSeek collects:

-Profile Information: Username, email, phone number, and date of birth.

-User-Provided Data: Everything the user types or uploads, including chat history, prompts, and audio inputs.

-Automated Data: IP address, device model, operating system, system language, and even keystroke patterns.

-Usage Data: Resources used and actions performed.

-Cookies and Trackers: Web beacons and other tracking technologies to monitor user behavior.

-Third-Party Data: Information from linked accounts (such as Google or Apple) and advertising partners.

Key Concerns and Accusations

-Data Storage in China: All user data is stored on servers in China, where cybersecurity and national laws may compel the company to share information with the Chinese government if requested.

-Potential Government Espionage: Intelligence agencies, such as that of South Korea, have expressed concerns that DeepSeek could provide unlimited access to user data to advertisers and potentially Chinese authorities.

-Banns in Governments: Due to these risks, some countries and government entities (such as Italy, Taiwan, Australia, and parts of the US) have banned or restricted the use of DeepSeek in their official bodies. Microsoft has also banned its use internally.

-Data Transfer to Other Chinese Giants: Security analyses indicate that the app sends data to other Chinese companies, such as Baidu and ByteDance (owner of TikTok).

-Indefinite Retention Policy: DeepSeek's privacy policy does not specify a maximum data retention period, allowing the company to retain information for as long as it deems necessary, which increases the risk in the event of a security breach.

In short, although DeepSeek claims to have security and transparency measures, its extensive data collection practices and information storage in China raise serious privacy concerns and accusations of potential espionage.

by: Infobae