US Targets China's Deep Seek... "Serious Threat to Security"

NYT: "Trump Administration Discussing Blocking Americans from Using DeepSeek"
OpenAI Technology Theft Allegations... U.S. Moves to Expand AI Chip Export Controls

The U.S. government and Congress have begun to actively impose export controls on AI chips targeting the Chinese AI company DeepSeek.

The U.S. House of Representatives' Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party emphasized in a DeepSeek investigation report released on the 16th (local time) that DeepSeek poses a "serious threat" to U.S. security.

The report pointed out, "DeepSeek appears to be a general AI chatbot, but in reality, it causes data to be leaked to China, creates security vulnerabilities for users, and relies on models that covertly censor and manipulate information according to Chinese law." It added, "This model seems to have been created by stealing U.S. technology based on semiconductor chips whose export to China is prohibited."

The report also cited the investigation results of cybersecurity firm Perut Security, stating that DeepSeek collects users' personal data and then transmits it to China through backend infrastructure connected to 'China Mobile,' a telecommunications company owned by the Chinese government, raising concerns about "potential access to Americans' personal information." Furthermore, it noted that entities such as Highflyer Quant, controlled by DeepSeek founder Liang Yuanfeng, are also connected to hardware distributors and strategic research institutions linked to the Chinese government.

Additionally, the report referenced suspicions previously raised by OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, regarding the possibility that DeepSeek illegally appropriated OpenAI's technology. It recommended that the U.S. swiftly expand export controls on AI chips to address the risks posed by Chinese AI models, especially closely scrutinizing exports to regions like Singapore, where AI chips are at high risk of being diverted to China.

The New York Times (NYT), citing anonymous sources, reported that the Trump administration is considering sanctions to prevent DeepSeek from purchasing U.S. technology and is also discussing measures to block Americans from using DeepSeek.

Moreover, the NYT reported, "The House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party has initiated an investigation into Nvidia's chip sales in Asia, applying pressure on Nvidia by congressional leadership." The committee is evaluating whether Nvidia deliberately provided DeepSeek with core technologies necessary for AI development and whether this may have violated regulations.

In this regard, a committee official told the NYT that, under the House committee's subpoena authority, Nvidia is expected to submit detailed information about all customers in 11 Asian countries within two weeks.