Researchers Discover DeepSeek Has Links to Chinese Telecom Firm Banned in US: Report

A cybersecurity firm reportedly found code in the DeepSeek web client that links the chatbot with China Mobile.

Advertisement
Written by Akash Dutta, Edited by David Delima | Updated: 6 February 2025 20:29 IST
Highlights
  • Code linked with China Mobile is reportedly part of the login process
  • DeepSeek admits to storing data on Chinese servers
  • The researchers have not analysed the DeepSeek mobile app
Researchers Discover DeepSeek Has Links to Chinese Telecom Firm Banned in US: Report

The researchers claimed this link with China is much grander than that of TikTok

Photo Credit: Reuters

DeepSeek source code reportedly contains evidence that links the popular artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot with a Chinese telecommunication provider that was banned in the US. According to a report, a cybersecurity firm has uncovered code that could be used to send data entered on DeepSeek's web client to China Mobile. The code reportedly relates to the account creation and login process on the Chinese AI chatbot platform. While it could not be confirmed that DeepSeek is indeed sending data, the researchers were also not able to rule out the possibility.

DeepSeek Code Links Chatbot to China Mobile

The Associated Press (AP) reported that DeepSeek contains code that could potentially send user login information to China Mobile. The publication claimed that it received a report about the code from the Canada-based cybersecurity firm Feroot Security. Multiple independent experts reportedly verified these claims.

Notably, China Mobile was banned from operating in the US in 2019 after the government raised national security concerns due to the link between the telecom operator and the Chinese government. Additionally, in 2021, the US government also put sanctions on Americans investing in the company after finding evidence of its links with the Chinese military.

The report did not reveal details about the alleged code that links DeepSeek's chatbot with the telecom operator. However, it discovered the presence of code that enables the AI firm to send login information as well as queries directly to China Mobile's servers.

Advertisement

The cybersecurity firm also highlighted that the exposed code shows a connection that could be far more nefarious than that of TikTok, which was briefly banned for a few hours in the US, before it was reinstated.

“The implications of this are significantly larger because personal and proprietary information could be exposed. It's like TikTok but at a much grander scale and with more precision. It's not just sharing entertainment videos. It's sharing queries and information that could include highly personal and sensitive business information,” Ivan Tsarynny, CEO of Feroot told AP.

Advertisement

Notably, the researchers have not analysed the mobile app of DeepSeek, which could also contain similar code. The iOS app of DeepSeek recently topped the App Store's “Top free apps” chart in the US overtaking OpenAI.

 

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Further reading: DeepSeek, AI, Artificial Intelligence
Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Microsoft Wants Websites to Have an AI-Powered Natural Language Interface
  2. iQOO Neo 10 Pro+ With Snapdragon 8 Elite, 6,800mAh Battery Launched
  3. Google's New Beam Video Communication Platform Can Turn 2D Video Into 3D
  4. Nothing Phone 3 Confirmed to Launch Globally in July
  5. Realme 14T 5G First Impressions
  6. Gemini 2.5 Series Gets Improved Capabilities and a Deep Think Mode
  7. Retro OTT Release Reportedly Revealed: When and Where to Watch it Online?
  8. Amazon's Drones Will Now Deliver Apple Products and More to Your Doorstep
  9. Google I/O 2025 Highlights: Everything Google Announced at Google I/O
  1. Google I/O 2025: Everything Announced From Gemini 2.5, AI Mode to Project Astra
  2. Asus ExpertBook P3 Series With AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 Processor Launched at Computex 2025
  3. Tesla on Track to Launch Robotaxi Trial in Austin, Texas, by June End, Musk Says
  4. Stellar Blade Sequel Confirmed by Shift Up, Launch Planned Before 2027
  5. Epic Games' Fortnite Returns to Apple App Store in US After Nearly Five Years
  6. Amazon's Drones Can Now Deliver New Categories of Devices Like iPhone, AirPods and More
  7. Infinix GT 30 Pro Leaked Images Suggest RGB Lighting, Colour Options Ahead of Global Debut
  8. Bitcoin Surges Past $107,000 for First Time Since January as Altcoins Rally
  9. Inheritance OTT Release Date: When and Where to Watch Spy Thriller Movie Online?
  10. America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 2 OTT Release Date Announced
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.