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UK & Australian government officials, AI experts urge users to be cautious of DeepSeek

DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence platform, is generating significant attention in the tech industry, but its impact is not entirely positive. While it has impressed many with its ability to deliver similar results to well-known platforms like ChatGPT at a fraction of the cost, experts are urging users to approach it with caution. The main concerns? There is a potential for misinformation and the risk of sharing personal data with the Chinese government.

The platform’s emergence has shocked Silicon Valley and Wall Street, especially as it’s become one of the most downloaded apps in the UK and the US. However, experts and government officials are now raising concerns, cautioning that the convenience of using this tool may come with significant risks.

Data privacy concerns and the Chinese government’s influence

According to a report by The Guardian, Michael Wooldridge, a professor at the University of Oxford, pointed out that any data entered into DeepSeek might not stay private. While it’s safe to ask the AI about general topics like football or history, Wooldridge warned that sensitive information could be shared with the Chinese state, which users might not want.

Similarly, Dame Wendy Hall, a prominent AI expert, stressed that anyone using DeepSeek should know that Chinese tech companies are under strict government rules. The Chinese government controls what can and can’t be said, and Hall believes this could pose significant privacy risks for users. From the Centre for Information Resilience, Ross Burley echoed these worries, explaining that such platforms might end up being used for surveillance or to spread disinformation, which could have harmful consequences for democracy.

DeepSeek’s data policy says that any data, chat, or files that users upload to its app are sent to its servers back in China. Chinese law mandates that all such data be shared with the government.

Governments urge caution

The governments of the UK and Australia have expressed their concerns about the platform’s potential impact on national security. UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle recently suggested that people should decide to use DeepSeek. However, the platform’s built-in censorship means it doesn’t offer the same freedoms users might expect from other AI models. While the UK government hasn’t banned the platform, they’re keeping an eye on any national security risks that might emerge.

In Australia, Science Minister Ed Husic urged users to think carefully before downloading the AI. He pointed out that there are still many unanswered questions about the quality of the platform, consumer preferences, and how it handles user data and privacy. Both countries are stressing the need for caution regarding DeepSeek’s use, especially with the potential to be misused in ways that could harm personal privacy or national security.

Censorship and misinformation

One of the biggest concerns with DeepSeek is its handling of sensitive topics. Users have reported that the AI refuses to discuss politically sensitive issues like the Tiananmen Square massacre, instead giving vague responses that align with the Chinese government’s narrative. For instance, when asked about Taiwan, DeepSeek echoes the Chinese Communist Party’s stance that the island is an “inalienable” part of China.

Dame Wendy Hall warned that using AI to generate information can spread misinformation, especially when the data it relies on is biased or controlled. Azeem Azhar, an AI expert, found that DeepSeek could only provide a vague response when he asked about Tiananmen Square. He added that the event was “widely recognized as the suppression of pro-democracy protests” but didn’t give much detail. This raises concerns about the AI’s role in shaping the narratives that users are exposed to.

Personal data at risk

Like other AI tools, DeepSeek allows users to upload personal documents, such as meeting notes or papers, to help process and analyze them. However, anything shared with the platform could be used to train the AI or other purposes.

DeepSeek’s privacy policy clarifies that the personal data it collects is stored in China and may be used to comply with legal obligations or for public interest tasks. Things get tricky here—Chinese law mandates that companies must support national intelligence efforts, which means your data. Overall, DeepSeek presents a creative and economical approach to AI but also carries significant privacy and security risks.

Risks are very real. Experts and governments are advising users to exercise caution before embracing DeepSeek. With data potentially in the hands of the Chinese government and concerns about censorship and misinformation, it might be worth waiting a little longer before embracing this platform fully.

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