Is your data safe if you use DeepSeek?

Core security concerns: DeepSeek AI, a new artificial intelligence platform competing with ChatGPT, is raising significant privacy and data security concerns, particularly regarding its data collection practices and server locations in China.

Privacy policy red flags: The platform’s privacy policy reveals extensive data collection and storage practices that may put user information at risk.

• DeepSeek collects various forms of personal data, including names, birth dates, email addresses, and all user interactions with the platform
• User content, including text inputs, audio, uploaded files, and chat histories, is stored on servers located in China
• The company retains user data for an unspecified duration, described only as “as long as necessary”
• Technical information such as IP addresses, operating system details, and keystroke patterns are also collected

Data handling concerns: The transfer and storage of user data in China presents several potential risks to user privacy and security.

• Collected information can be used for service improvement, legal compliance, and advertising purposes
• The policy includes broad language about using data for “tasks in the public interest”
• Data may be combined with information from other sources, including mobile and cookie identifiers

Expert perspectives: Cybersecurity and digital rights experts have voiced specific concerns about the platform’s operations.

• Adrianus Warmenhoven of NordVPN highlights concerns about content moderation policies and potential external influence
• Digital Rights Expert Lauren Hendry-Parsons emphasizes the privacy implications of collecting keystroke data and combining it with other digital identifiers
• The platform’s notably lower price point compared to competitors raises questions about how user data might be monetized

Platform behavior: Additional concerns have emerged regarding the platform’s handling of sensitive topics.

• Users have reported unusual platform behavior when discussing topics considered sensitive in China
• The platform has faced criticism for avoiding certain political topics, suggesting possible content restrictions

Risk assessment: While DeepSeek’s lower cost may be attractive, the potential privacy trade-offs warrant careful consideration.

• More established alternatives like ChatGPT and OpenAI offer stronger privacy protections despite higher costs
• The platform’s similarities to TikTok in terms of data handling and server location could lead to similar regulatory scrutiny

Future implications: Given the growing concerns about data privacy and international data transfer, DeepSeek’s current practices could face increased regulatory scrutiny, particularly in light of recent actions against other Chinese-owned platforms like TikTok.