Is DeepSeek AI safe to use? Think twice before you download DeepSeek for the time being

In spite of a turbulent period of emergence, popularity, cyberattacks, and outages, the DeepSeek AI platform has taken a firm grip on the technology world.

Experts have already pitted DeepSeek against ChatGPT to see if the new kid on the block holds its own against more experienced AI. But, the question remains, performance-aside, is the platform actually safe?

In the wake of the US TikTok ban, it would appear DeepSeek offers several concerning similarities to the social platform in the form of its privacy policy, concerning app activity, and the location of its servers. What's more, the service offers its capabilities at a much cheaper price, so if you're financially better off, what cost are you paying instead?

We've taken a closer look at the platform to help you decide whether you should risk your data for a new, cheaper, AI future, or if, in fact, the concerns aren't quite as alarming as initially thought.

A not-so-private policy

A good privacy policy would traditionally be a source of reassurance for the privacy-conscious. In DeepSeek's case, this isn't so. The privacy policy reads:

"When you use our Services, we may collect your text or audio input, prompt, uploaded files, feedback, chat history, or other content that you provide to our model and Services...the personal information we collect from you may be stored on a server located outside of the country where you live. We store the information we collect in secure servers located in the People's Republic of China"

The result of this is that, in reality, DeepSeek could be collecting:

• Your name, date of birth, and email address
• Data inputted into the platform. Whether that be audio, text, or previous chats.
• Technical information surrounding your device – including IP, operating system, and keystroke patterns

As the policy states, this information is then stored on servers in China. The transfer of this data to China then raises questions regarding what happens next. The privacy policy outlines the data can be used to "Review, improve, and develop the Service" as well as "Comply with our legal obligations, or as necessary to perform tasks in the public interest, or to protect the vital interests of our users and other people." and, of course, advertise.

What's more, the provider claims to retain information for "as long as necessary" and doesn't state any exact periods by which all of your information may be removed.

Given the nature of this information, and how it's used, there are legitimate concerns about the long-term risks to your data and the potential non-existence of true privacy.

Unexpected activity in the AI app

Concerns about the links to Chinese authorities don't stop there. One X user pointed out some rather unusual activity from the AI service when discussing topics seen as sensitive in the region.

There's no way of proving this means DeepSeek is in any form of continued relationship with authorities, though it does raise questions about the nature of information received on the platform. However, this is nothing new for AI. Who remembers the great glue on your pizza fiasco?

Even more cause for concern

The news surrounding DeepSeek since its launch a little over a week ago has not helped its case. The service was hit by a large-scale cyberattack, which raised questions about its security and forced DeepSeek to limit registrations for the time being. The DDoS attack still appears to be impacting the service though the move to limit registrations comes to ensure core functions remain in operation.

What's more, Italy has launched an investigation into DeepSeek over privacy concerns. The country has launched the investigation due to the "Possible risk to the data of millions of people in Italy," according to the Garante, Italy's data watchdog authority.

In amongst the news flurry surrounding DeepSeek, it's gone rather unnoticed that cybersecurity firm KELA was able to jailbreak the service. In a new report, KELA outlines several key vulnerabilities found within DeepSeek that "revealed that the model can be easily jailbroken using a variety of techniques, including methods that were publicly disclosed over two years ago."

What do the experts say?

Given the rapid growth of DeepSeek in the AI space, experts are understandably concerned. Speaking to TechRadar, Cybersecurity expert at NordVPN, Adrianus Warmenhoven, commented "that DeepSeek's AI model has faced growing backlash for its refusal to address political topics. This has sparked concerns about potential biases and external influence on the platform's content moderation policies."

On the concerns surrounding its privacy policy Digital Rights Expert Lauren Hendry-Parsons said "There are genuine concerns around the technological potential of DeepSeek, specifically around the terms of its privacy policy. It states that users’ keystroke data will be collected, along with their IP address, and this will be combined with information from other sources such as mobile identifiers, cookie identifiers, and more."

Want to know more? Read “This is a wake-up call" - the DeepSeek disruption: 10 experts weigh in

Is Perplexity AI a safer alternative?

In the days following DeepSeek's emergence, US equivalent Perplexity has gained traction as a supposed safer alternative, but in truth, for many, the differences will be minor.

Much like TikTok's recent troubles, the concerns around DeepSeek surround the possibility of these platforms being used to maliciously impact countries, with these platforms being deemed a security threat. However, there's an equal argument for countries in the East to be concerned about a Western alternative on similar grounds.

For the average person, though, these security threats aren't anywhere near as important. Unless you are in a job where your role impacts or relates to government or is security-based, the security threat isn't the safety you should be worried about. Instead, it's the people closer to home that may cause you more grief.

Both Perplexity AI and DeepSeek mention in their privacy policies that your data will be sent to service providers and, more importantly, advertising partners. Since your data will, therefore, in either instance, be spread outside the bounds of the AI app to places unknown, your data is at equal risk of being compromised no matter which provider you choose.

Data breaches are becoming a more common occurrence almost by the week. DeepSeek is, as mentioned, still feeling the impact of a recent attack, and it won't be alone. Should one of these advertising partners be compromised, who knows where your data could end up?

It's easy to get mixed up in concerns around top-level government access to information. The reality for many, however, is that the more noticeable impact from data being shared to unwanted places will be equal no matter which service you choose.

Why risk it at all?

While nothing has explicitly gone wrong as yet, it's advisable to approach DeepSeek with caution. In online privacy, if something seems oddly cheap, you're usually paying with something other than money - like your sensitive personal data.

With more trustworthy alternatives such as ChatGPT and OpenAI available, and very capable, it's a simple choice to pay more to be secure. While Trump is yet to show concern about the privacy issues surrounding DeepSeek, it wouldn't be surprising if such a platform were to meet similar opposition to TikTok.