A week after releasing its rival AI model to the market, Chinese company DeepSeek is facing global scrutiny over data privacy concerns. Italy’s data protection authority has launched an investigation into how DeepSeek handles user data, following in the footsteps of several other nations that have cracked down on the company.
The Italian watchdog agency issued a restraining order against both DeepSeek companies, citing concerns over the firm’s failure to disclose personal information collection and processing practices. The agencies also raised questions about whether this information is stored on servers in China.
Similar probes are underway in Taiwan, South Korea, France, Belgium, and Ireland. The US Commerce Department is also investigating if DeepSeek has been using American-made chips that are not allowed to be shipped to China.
Critics point to recent security breaches and data leaks as evidence of the company’s lax data handling practices. A report by security firm Wiz Research revealed a database belonging to DeepSeek was left exposed, revealing chat histories and potentially sensitive information.
As concerns over data privacy grow, many experts advise users to exercise caution when using AI apps from any company, regardless of their origin. With several countries taking action against DeepSeek, the future of this Chinese AI giant remains uncertain.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/the-international-deepseek-crackdown-is-underway-2000557619