China’s AI chatbot DeepSeek faces international scrutiny for its apparent alignment with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and real-time censorship capabilities.
At a Glance
- DeepSeek, a Chinese AI chatbot, censors itself in real-time on sensitive topics
- The chatbot’s responses align with CCP narratives and avoid criticism of the regime
- User data is stored on Chinese servers, raising security concerns
- Experts warn of potential misuse for spreading propaganda globally
- Some governments have banned or issued warnings against using DeepSeek
Real-Time Censorship Raises Eyebrows
DeepSeek, China’s answer to ChatGPT, has come under intense scrutiny for its real-time censorship capabilities and apparent alignment with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) narratives. Users have reported instances where the chatbot initially provides thoughtful responses on sensitive topics, only to abruptly censor itself mid-sentence.
“I was assuming this app was heavily controlled by the Chinese government so I was wondering how censored it would be,” said Salvador, a user who tested the chatbot. He further noted, “In the middle of the sentence it cut itself.”
This behavior has been observed when discussing topics such as free speech in China, the Hong Kong protests, human rights lawyers, Xinjiang re-education camps, and China’s social credit system. The chatbot’s responses are replaced with generic messages suggesting a change of topic, effectively sanitizing conversations that could be critical of the CCP.
Thursday, February 6, 2025
THE GEOPOLITICS OF DEEPSEEK: NARRATIVES, PERCEPTION, AND THE AI RACEBottom Line Up Front:
Through a series of advanced training techniques and architectural choices, PRC-based DeepSeek has reportedly developed its high-performing reasoning AI model…— Omar Fundora (@TheTrue2) February 6, 2025
Propaganda and Data Security Concerns
Beyond censorship, DeepSeek has been criticized for promoting views favorable to the CCP regime. The chatbot avoids discussions about the Tiananmen Square massacre and U.S. legislation against CCP human rights abuses, while promoting narratives such as Taiwan being part of China.
The storage of user data on China-based servers, coupled with the chatbot’s links to China Mobile, has raised significant security concerns. Under Chinese law, companies are required to provide data to the government for national security purposes, potentially exposing users’ information to the CCP.
Global Impact and Warnings
DeepSeek’s release under the MIT software license allows for widespread adoption, sparking fears about the potential global spread of CCP propaganda. Some governments and organizations have already taken action, banning or warning against the use of DeepSeek due to security and censorship concerns.
Experts advise users to exercise caution when downloading apps and recommend that app stores warn users about potential risks. Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) Vice President Daniel Castro suggests, “They should look and see what company is making it, where that company is based, and what values are tied to that company.”
