The Controversy Surrounding DeepSeek's Blockbuster Chatbot A Recipe for Disaster in the US

The Controversy Surrounding DeepSeek's Blockbuster Chatbot A Recipe for Disaster in the US

In this blog post, we'll delve into the controversy surrounding DeepSeek's blockbuster chatbot, which has become the most downloaded app in the United States. Security researchers have discovered that the web login page of DeepSeek's chatbot contains heavily obfuscated computer script that connects to China Mobile, a state-owned telecommunications company banned from operating in the US.

The analysis reveals that the code appears to capture detailed information about the device a user logs in from and links to China Mobile authentication and identity management systems. Although researchers did not observe data being transferred during testing, they could not rule out the possibility of data transfer for some users. This raises serious concerns about national security and personal privacy.

The implications of this are significant, as sensitive data is being stored on servers in China, a country with close ties to the Chinese military. The growth of Chinese-controlled digital services has become a major topic of concern for US national security officials, and lawmakers have taken steps to address these issues.

In this blog post, we'll explore the findings of Feroot Security, a Canadian cybersecurity company that first discovered the issue, as well as those of two academic cybersecurity experts who verified the findings. We'll also discuss the potential consequences of allowing such a platform to operate in the US and what this means for the future of AI-powered chatbots.

The Malapropism of DeepSeek

DeepSeek's blockbuster chatbot has become the most downloaded app in the United States, but its connections to China Mobile have raised serious concerns about national security and personal privacy. The company's obfuscated computer script appears to capture detailed information about the device a user logs in from and links to China Mobile authentication and identity management systems.

The Script of Concern

Feroot Security discovered that the web login page of DeepSeek's chatbot contains heavily obfuscated computer script that connects to China Mobile, a state-owned telecommunications company banned from operating in the US. This code raises concerns about data transfer and potential national security risks.

User Fingerprinting A Threat to Personal Privacy

Feroot Security's analysis determined that there were links in the code pointing to China Mobile authentication and identity management computer systems, which could be part of the login process for some users accessing DeepSeek. The company's analysis only applies to the web version of DeepSeek; they did not analyze the mobile version, which remains one of the most downloaded pieces of software on both the Apple and Google app stores.

The Real Concerns

The implications of this are significant, as sensitive data is being stored on servers in China, a country with close ties to the Chinese military. The growth of Chinese-controlled digital services has become a major topic of concern for US national security officials, and lawmakers have taken steps to address these issues.

Conclusion

DeepSeek's blockbuster chatbot has raised serious concerns about national security and personal privacy. The company's connections to China Mobile have sparked fears that sensitive data is being transferred to China, a country with close ties to the Chinese military. As AI-powered chatbots become increasingly popular, it's essential that we prioritize user security and transparency.

Keywords DeepSeek, China Mobile, US, national security, personal privacy, cybersecurity, obfuscated code, fingerprinting

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.