Summary: Security researchers have discovered that DeepSeek’s chatbot, a widely downloaded app in the U.S., contains code potentially sending user login data to China Mobile, a state-owned telecom barred from operating in the U.S. This raises significant concerns regarding data security, as the app’s privacy policy indicates data storage in China and ties to the Chinese state. Experts warn that the implications could be more serious than those surrounding other popular apps like TikTok, due to the sensitive nature of the information being shared by users.
Affected: DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence company, and its chatbot
Keypoints :
- Obfuscated code on DeepSeek’s login page connects to infrastructure owned by China Mobile.
- The U.S. has previously denied China Mobile’s operations over national security concerns related to military ties.
- Experts indicate potential risks of exposure for sensitive user information, highlighting the need for scrutiny of generative AI platforms owned by foreign adversaries.