A recent article from ABC News made a startling claim: DeepSeek, a new AI tool, has hidden programming capable of transferring user data directly to the Chinese government. The allegation, backed by cybersecurity expert Ivan Tsarynny, has sparked concerns over national security and user privacy. But does the claim hold up under scrutiny?
What We Found
The claim that DeepSeek contains hidden code funneling user data to the Chinese government is serious. However, upon deeper investigation, several issues arise:
1. Lack of Verifiable Evidence
The ABC News article states that Tsarynny decrypted DeepSeek’s code and found links to CMPassport.com, affiliated with China Mobile, a company blacklisted in the U.S. While this connection is concerning, no definitive evidence confirms that this function has been actively transferring user data.
The article presents no independent verification from third-party cybersecurity firms, nor does it provide concrete proof of data exfiltration. Without further confirmation, the claim remains speculative rather than factually established.
2. Hidden Code vs. Potential Capability
Tsarynny asserts that DeepSeek’s programming has the “capability” to send user data to China. However, capability does not equal intent or execution. Many software applications contain functionalities that are never activated or used maliciously.
3. No Transparency from DeepSeek
One red flag is DeepSeek’s refusal to respond to the allegations. Their terms of service indicate that they operate under Chinese law, raising valid concerns about data privacy. However, silence alone is not proof of wrongdoing.
4. Comparison to TikTok Misleading
The article references ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, which has faced scrutiny for its ties to the Chinese government. However, equating DeepSeek’s alleged backdoor to TikTok’s situation is misleading. The article implies a pattern without presenting direct evidence that DeepSeek is following the same practices.
Final Verdict
While the concerns about DeepSeek are reasonable, the claims in the ABC News article rely heavily on speculation and unverified analysis rather than hard proof. There is no conclusive evidence that DeepSeek is currently transferring user data to the Chinese government.
Addressing Reader Concerns
One of our DBUNK subscribers submitted this fact-check request, wondering: How exactly did experts discover the hidden code, and could this kind of vulnerability exist in other AI tools?
Tsarynny used AI-powered code decryption to analyze DeepSeek’s programming, but without peer review or corroboration, the legitimacy of his findings remains uncertain. As for AI tools overall, many applications collect vast amounts of user data, and vulnerabilities can exist across various platforms. However, proving an intentional backdoor requires irrefutable technical evidence, which this article does not provide.
The Importance of Fact-Checking
As misinformation spreads, it’s critical to verify claims before accepting them as truth. Speculative reports can fuel unnecessary panic and political tensions. Stay informed and rely on trusted sources to separate fact from fiction.
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