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DeepSeek’s Privacy Risks: What It Knows About You and Why

Is DeepSeek’s data collection worrying you? It should. The Chinese AI chatbot, similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, has become the most downloaded free app in the U.S. However, its meteoric rise has sparked serious privacy concerns, particularly as the U.S. moves to ban TikTok due to its ties to the Chinese government.

Like most apps, DeepSeek requires users to accept its privacy policy before use—but do you ever read it? According to cybersecurity expert Adrianus Warmenhoven, DeepSeek’s privacy policy explicitly states that user data, including conversations and responses, is stored on servers in China. This raises red flags about data collection, security standards, and potential government access under Chinese cybersecurity laws.

What Data Does DeepSeek Collect?

DeepSeek’s privacy policy outlines an extensive range of data collection practices, which can be categorized into three main areas:

1. Information You Provide

  • Profile details (date of birth, username, email, phone number, password)
  • Conversations, chat history, audio inputs, and uploaded files
  • Identity verification details, user inquiries, and feedback

2. Automatically Collected Information

  • Internet activity (IP address, cookies, device identifiers)
  • Technical data (device model, operating system, keystroke patterns)
  • Usage metrics (features used, diagnostic data)
  • Payment information

3. Information from Other Sources

  • Linked accounts (Google, Apple sign-ins)
  • Data from advertising partners, including purchase history

Why Are Keystroke Patterns Important?

DeepSeek’s policy states that it collects “keystroke patterns or rhythms,” a practice also used by TikTok but not Instagram. This data can be used for biometric identification, distinguishing one user from another. While TikTok claims this method isn’t keylogging, it still raises privacy concerns, especially when stored on servers in China, where companies must comply with national intelligence laws.

How Is Your Data Used?

DeepSeek uses collected data for various reasons, including:

  • Sending personalized ads
  • Notifying users of service updates
  • Compliance with legal obligations
  • Sharing data with law enforcement or its corporate network

According to privacy expert Nicky Watson, DeepSeek’s policy makes it clear that the collected user data is stored in China and can be accessed by the company’s corporate group, law enforcement agencies, and potentially even the Chinese government.

A WIRED investigation found that DeepSeek sends data to Baidu and the Chinese internet infrastructure firm Volces, further intensifying concerns about data security and potential AI model training on user prompts.

Why Should You Be Concerned?

Ignoring privacy policies may seem harmless, but DeepSeek operates under China’s cybersecurity laws, meaning it must comply with government data access requests. If your data is misused, exploited, or leaked in a cyberattack, you could be at risk of identity theft, financial loss, or even government surveillance.

In fact, just yesterday, DeepSeek suffered a large-scale cyberattack, temporarily restricting new registrations. As AI platforms grow more sophisticated, they also become prime hacking targets, making robust privacy protections more critical than ever.

What Can You Do to Protect Your Data?

Cybersecurity experts advise users to:

  • Scrutinize privacy policies before agreeing to terms
  • Limit personal information shared with AI platforms
  • Use VPNs and privacy-focused browsers
  • Avoid linking DeepSeek with other personal accounts

However, as John Scott-Railton from the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab notes, data privacy shouldn’t rest solely on users. Stronger legislation is needed to hold companies accountable, whether they operate in China or the U.S.

“When you type intimate thoughts and questions into a chatbot, that data should be protected—not exploited,” says F. Mario Trujillo of the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

DeepSeek’s rapid success highlights the growing need for universal data protection laws. Until that happens, users must remain vigilant about what they share—and where their data ends up.

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