The Launch of DeepSeek
DeepSeek was launched on January 20th, 2025 and it shook the world. Nvidia’s stock dropped as much as 17 percent and sent financial markets into a panic. The market can overreact to things and we think the FBI’s concerns about DeepSeek should you give you pause before using DeepSeek.
FBI’s Concerns About Data Security
While DeepSeek’s technological advancements are impressive, the FBI has raised significant concerns about the security implications of sharing personal information with Chinese companies. The FBI’s primary concerns revolve around the Chinese government’s practices and policies, which pose a threat to the economic well-being and democratic values of the United States.
Economic Espionage and Intellectual Property Theft: The Chinese government has been accused of systematic theft of intellectual property and economic espionage. This includes hacking into databases of U.S. companies and stealing sensitive information. The FBI has highlighted incidents where Chinese hackers have targeted American businesses, academic institutions, and even healthcare organizations.
Cyber Intrusions: The FBI has reported numerous cyber intrusions originating from China, aimed at compromising American infrastructure and data. These intrusions are not limited to large corporations but also target small businesses and individuals.
Influence Operations: The Chinese government is known to engage in influence operations to sway public opinion and policy decisions in its favor. This includes using data collected from various sources to manipulate and influence key stakeholders.
Privacy Violations: Sharing personal information with Chinese entities can lead to privacy violations. The Chinese government has a history of exploiting data for surveillance and control purposes. This poses a significant risk to the privacy and security of individuals.
While DeepSeek represents an achievement in AI technology, it also brings to light critical issues related to data security and privacy. The FBI’s concerns about sharing information with Chinese entities are rooted in the broader context of economic espionage, cyber intrusions, and influence operations. As AI continues to advance, it is crucial to balance innovation with robust security measures to protect personal and national interests.
An Artificial Intelligence Approach to your Business
This year Mode5 will be developing an AI Readiness Program to help your business navigate the complicated waters of AI and help protect your data. In the meantime, we recommend using US-based AI platforms and preferably Microsoft CoPilot. If you need CoPilot licenses, please contact us.
