Chairmen Guthrie and Bilirakis Direct E&C Republicans in Letter to DeepSeek Regarding Ties with the Chinese Communist Party
Investigation into DeepSeek’s Data Practices
Overview
In Washington, D.C., Congressman Brett Guthrie, the Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, along with Congressman Gus Bilirakis, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, has raised serious concerns about DeepSeek, an artificial intelligence company. They sent a letter to the firm questioning its data practices and its connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Concerns Raised by Lawmakers
Both Guthrie and Bilirakis emphasized that DeepSeek’s mobile application is reportedly sending personal information of American users to servers located in China. This data may be accessed by CCP officials. They expressed worry that such practices could compromise not only personal privacy but also national security.
“To ensure Americans and their businesses are secure from foreign interference, we are launching this investigation into DeepSeek and the risks it poses to our nation,” stated the chairmen.
Key Points from the Letter
A few significant excerpts from the letter highlight the urgency of the situation. It notes that DeepSeek’s application, available in U.S. app stores, is known to share personal information with entities linked to the CCP. Reports have also identified weaknesses in DeepSeek’s data protection measures, which have led various states such as New York, Texas, and Virginia to ban its use on government devices.
Timeline of Events
- January 20, 2025: DeepSeek launched its open-source AI chatbot.
- February 18, 2025: Allegations arose that DeepSeek was sharing user data with ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok.
- March 6, 2025: A coalition of 21 state attorneys-general petitioned Congress to ban DeepSeek from government devices due to its ties with the CCP.
- April 16, 2025: A report was released by the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, detailing how DeepSeek allegedly funnels American data to the CCP and manipulates information to support CCP narratives.
Questions Posed to DeepSeek
The congressional committee has requested that DeepSeek respond to specific inquiries to better understand its operations and potential security risks. The questions include:
- What types of data are used to train your AI models, particularly involving U.S. personal or proprietary information?
- Is consumer data input in your applications utilized in AI training? If so, where is this data stored and is it shared with entities in China?
- What security measures do you have in place to protect personal and proprietary information, and how do you assess third-party security?
- Can you detail any U.S. technology, products, or services utilized in the development of your AI solutions, including any unauthorized use of American models?
- How are your AI models trained, and do you take steps to align outputs with CCP ideology?
- Are you receiving any subsidies from the CCP relevant to your AI development?
- Have you received requests from the CCP for data related to your AI offerings, including personal and proprietary data?
Further Information
For those interested in exploring this issue further, the full letter detailing these concerns is available online. Additionally, a news report from Fox News provides more insights into the investigation into DeepSeek’s practices and the potential implications for U.S. security.
Summary of Risks
If the allegations against DeepSeek are validated, the implications could extend beyond merely data privacy. They might signify a broader risk of foreign influence over American technology and consumer information. Given the increasing reliance on AI and tech applications, scrutiny of foreign companies that collect data on U.S. citizens is likely to continue, creating a complex landscape for both consumers and policymakers.
