A DBUNK subscriber submitted a request to fact-check a CNN article about US lawmakers attempting to ban DeepSeek, an AI chatbot developed by a Chinese firm, from government devices. The concern? Alleged data security threats and ties to the Chinese government. But does this claim hold up under scrutiny?
What the Article Gets Right
The article correctly outlines that two US lawmakers, Rep. Darin LaHood and Rep. Josh Gottheimer, are proposing legislation to prohibit the use of DeepSeek on government devices due to national security concerns. It also accurately reports that DeepSeek’s rapid advancements in AI have sparked fears about the US losing its competitive edge in the field.
Misinformation and Missing Context
The article strongly implies that DeepSeek is an imminent threat to US national security but does not present conclusive evidence that the company’s AI chatbot is actively sharing user data with the Chinese government. Instead, it relies on speculation from lawmakers and cybersecurity experts rather than verifiable proof.
For example, cybersecurity expert Adrianus Warmenhoven is quoted saying that data shared with DeepSeek “could be subject to government access under China’s cybersecurity laws.” However, no proof is provided that DeepSeek is currently sharing data with Chinese authorities.
Another misleading element of the article compares DeepSeek to TikTok, suggesting that this AI chatbot follows the same pattern of data-sharing concerns. The issue? With TikTok, investigations have uncovered instances of employee access to user data, which fueled regulatory actions. With DeepSeek, no such evidence is provided—only speculative warnings.
What Readers Should Ask
A key question remains unanswered: has DeepSeek shared user data with the Chinese government? So far, the article provides no proof beyond general concerns about Chinese cybersecurity laws. While caution is warranted, it is misleading to frame DeepSeek as a confirmed security risk without presenting solid evidence.
Final Verdict
The CNN article promotes speculation rather than fact. While it is true that data-sharing risks exist with many AI platforms, no evidence has been presented that DeepSeek is actively handing user data to the Chinese government. Readers should be wary of such claims unless backed by concrete proof.
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