Home / Education / Crypto / Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Is Deepseek a Trojan Horse? What You Need To Know

Is Deepseek a Trojan Horse? What You Need To Know

Published
Lorena Nessi
Published

Key Takeaways

  • DeepSeek AI has emerged as a powerful player in the AI landscape, but its ties to China have sparked concerns over privacy, surveillance, and national security. 
  • Comparisons to TikTok highlight the potential risks of data access under China’s laws.
  • Massimiliano Sala suggests that the real issue is global data collection trends, not just China.
  • The bigger question: Should any corporate or governmental entity have unchecked control over massive personal data?

First came TikTok, and now it is DeepSeek AI—another Chinese platform taking the world by storm and raising concerns about data collection, privacy, and influence. 

TikTok sparked fears in the West not only for its powerful algorithm but also for its extensive data collection practices. The app gathers location data, device identifiers, and usage patterns, fueling concerns  about potential access by the Chinese government. 

DeepSeek AI is now facing similar scrutiny. As per DeepSeek’s privacy policy, the company stores user data on servers in China, raising alarms over privacy risks and national security concerns. 

The platform’s open-source AI models have made it a strong competitor to Google, OpenAI, and Meta. Still, its rapid rise has drawn comparisons to TikTok 2.0—a disruptive force with global influence. 

Both platforms offer advanced technology, but their data policies continue to fuel debates over privacy, security, and foreign influence.

The analogy to the Trojan Horse raises key questions: Is DeepSeek a technological breakthrough that levels the AI playing field, or is it a strategic tool expanding China’s digital influence?

Massimiliano Sala, Head of the Laboratory of Cryptography with the University of Trento and President of the Italian association of cryptography ‘De Cifris’, shared his views with CCN and he considers that there is not a specific pattern how Chinese tech firms approach AI and data privacy

This article explores DeepSeek AI’s rise, its similarities to TikTok, concerns over privacy and surveillance, potential risks as a Trojan Horse, and whether fears about its influence are justified or exaggerated.

What Is Deepseek AI?

DeepSeek is an open-source AI model that analyzes extensive datasets and produces precise, high-quality text in areas like education, programming, and research. It leverages natural language processing (NLP) to efficiently interpret and generate human-like responses.

DeepSeek AI processes large datasets and generates clear, accurate text for education, coding, and research. It uses NLP to create human-like responses quickly and efficiently.

It advances language generation, problem-solving, and text analysis. It powers automated writing, coding assistance, and research tools. Developers continue improving its speed and efficiency, making it faster and more cost-effective than many competitors. 

DeepSeek operates within China’s expanding AI ecosystem, which focuses on high performance at lower costs. Unlike GPT-4 or Gemini, DeepSeek delivers strong results while using fewer resources and is cost efficient, positioning it as a serious competitor to Western AI models. 

For instance , OpenAI’s 01 charges $60 for every million output tokens, while DeepSeek’s cost is significantly lower at $2.10 per million tokens.

Additionally, as some suggest, the release of DeepSeek-R1 as an open-weight model under an MIT license highlights  the importance of open-source models in the AI supply chain.

TikTok 2.0? Privacy and Surveillance Concerns

DeepSeek has raised significant concerns  regarding data privacy and surveillance. The platform’s privacy policy indicates that user data is stored on secure servers in China, leading to fears that the Chinese government could access this information under national intelligence laws.

These concerns have prompted actions from various authorities. The Italian data protection authority has initiated an investigation into DeepSeek’s data handling practices to ensure compliance with GDPR regulations.

The U.S. National Security Council has announced  a national security review of the application.

Experts have also highlighted potential risks associated with DeepSeek’s data collection methods. Bill Conner, a cybersecurity expert and CEO of Jitterbit, who has advised both the UK and U.S. governments on security matters, stated  that DeepSeek ‘represents a clear risk to any enterprise whose leadership values data privacy, security, and transparency.’

Kevin O’Leary, known as ‘Mr. Wonderful,’ has raised concerns about DeepSeek, suggesting that China may have acquired 50,000 to 60,000 NVIDIA chips through the black market to develop it. 

He described DeepSeek as a ‘state-sponsored enterprise’ that offers a free app to users while scraping their emails. O’Leary also mentioned other Chinese projects like Lemon8 and Mao’s Little Red Book, warning, ‘If you don’t think we’re in an economic war with China, you would be wrong.’

However, Massimiliano Sala has another perspective. He noted that the more data, especially interesting data users aggregate, the more value organizations will obtain from their computations. “This is true in many scenarios, with AI training being only one of them.” 

He added that the business incentives to harvest as much data as possible often take precedence over privacy concerns-without china being a specific case. “Therefore, there is a huge business push to harvest as many data as possible, without being bothered too much by privacy issues.”

This suggests that the drive to collect vast amounts of data is not unique to China but a global trend shaped by economic incentives. If data aggregation is primarily driven by business value rather than privacy considerations, then companies across jurisdictions—whether in China, the U.S., or the EU—may prioritize data collection over user protection.

This raises a critical question: Is regulatory scrutiny focusing too narrowly on specific governments while overlooking the broader issue of unchecked data harvesting by major corporations worldwide? 

If privacy concerns remain secondary to business interests, then the real challenge may not be about where the data is controlled, but whether any entity—corporate or governmental—should be allowed to accumulate such vast amounts of personal information.

Lessons from TikTok

Governments worldwide have taken action against TikTok over data privacy concerns. The U.S. banned the app on federal devices, while the EU launched investigations into its data practices. India went further, banning TikTok entirely due to national security risks. 

In January 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a federal law banning TikTok unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance Ltd., divested its ownership by January 19. However, the next day President Trump signed an executive order  delaying the enforcement of the ban by 75 days to allow for further negotiations.

Could DeepSeek face similar regulatory scrutiny? 

Its ties to China have raised alarms, and past actions against TikTok suggest a similar trajectory. Governments that previously restricted TikTok may extend their scrutiny to DeepSeek, potentially leading to bans or limitations on its use.

Potential Risks: A Trojan Horse for What?

The story of the Trojan Horse describes how the Greeks infiltrated Troy by disguising their soldiers inside a seemingly harmless gift, a giant wooden horse. 

Some now wonder if DeepSeek plays a similar role—offering cutting-edge AI for global use while potentially serving hidden interests based on data collection and its potential link with surveillance. 

The open-source nature of its models has fueled speculation that DeepSeek could be a Trojan Horse, gaining widespread adoption while embedding influence or shaping AI narratives in ways that favor Chinese state interests.

The DeepSeek Android app allegedly uses a component within ByteDance’s (TikTok’s parent company) AppLog SDKr to send user data to TikTok. The claim on the X platform raises concerns about privacy and data sharing with the popular social media company.

Counterarguments: Is It Just Fearmongering?

Critics argue that the concerns about DeepSeek may be overblown. They believe regulatory scrutiny should focus on evidence, not speculation. DeepSeek’s developers maintain the platform operates independently and adheres to industry standards for data security. Unlike TikTok, which is a social media app, DeepSeek uses AI-driven tools, giving it different use cases and potential risks.

Some also warn that focusing too much on DeepSeek could be a tactic to deregulate Western tech firms. By highlighting foreign threats, policymakers may relax oversight on domestic companies, allowing them more freedom in handling user data and privacy. Independent audits and transparency as well as comparisons to its Western counterparts could clarify whether DeepSeek is truly a risk or if the concerns are exaggerated.

Who Controls Your Data?

The main issue could be that data control rests with the Chinese government rather than a private company. While firms like Meta, Google, and OpenAI collect vast amounts of user data, they operate under corporate regulations and legal frameworks in democratic countries. 

China’s national security laws could compel companies like DeepSeek to share user data with the state, raising concerns about surveillance and misuse. This leads to a critical question: Is data collection safer in the hands of tech giants like Meta, Google, and OpenAI, or does state-controlled data pose a greater risk?

Sala pointed out to CCN that what many people fail to see is that the creation of value comes when users aggregate data. 

Sala argued that “once these data are collected for a supposedly legitimate use, then they become a juicy snack for organizations with fewer scruples, but unfortunately, there is no evidence to either prove or disprove their illegitimate use.” 

Regarding the possibility of stricter regulations as a response to the government, Sala pointed out that “rather than chasing continuously evolving Apps, it would be much more useful if the governments would support the development of platforms where AI models can be trained AND the privacy of training data is guaranteed.” 

“With nowadays cryptography, privacy-preserving techniques in particular, this is possible, and I know several projects working on this challenge,” he concluded. 

Conclusion

DeepSeek AI has emerged as a powerful player in the AI landscape, but its ties to China have sparked concerns over privacy, surveillance, and national security. Comparisons to TikTok highlight the potential risks of data access under China’s laws. 

While critics warn of regulatory overreach, supporters argue that open-source AI and independent audits could address concerns. 

The broader issue may not be who collects data but whether any entity—corporate or governmental—should have unchecked control over vast amounts of personal information.

FAQs

Why is DeepSeek being called ‘TikTok 2.0’?

DeepSeek AI is being called ‘TikTok 2.0’ because, like TikTok, it’s a Chinese platform rapidly gaining global popularity and raising concerns about data privacy and national security.

Could DeepSeek AI pose a national security threat?

Yes, if DeepSeek AI collects and shares sensitive user data with platforms like TikTok, it could raise national security concerns. Governments may worry about data being accessed by foreign entities or used for surveillance, especially given TikTok’s past scrutiny.

How does DeepSeek’s data privacy compare to other AI models?

Without clear transparency on data usage, DeepSeek’s privacy practices remain uncertain. Compared to other AI models, if it does share data with third parties like TikTok, it could be considered less secure than models with stricter data privacy controls, such as those that comply with GDPR or other regulatory frameworks.

What regulations could governments impose on DeepSeek AI?

Governments could introduce regulations requiring clear user consent for data sharing, mandatory transparency on data usage, and compliance with global privacy standards. They may also enforce restrictions on foreign data transfers or require audits to ensure the protection of user information.



Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, financial advice. We do not make any warranties regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of this information. All investments involve risk, and past performance does not guarantee future results. We recommend consulting a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Was this Article helpful? Yes No

Lorena Nessi

Lorena Nessi is an award-winning journalist and media and technology expert. She is based in Oxfordshire, UK, and holds a PhD in Communication, Sociology, and Digital Cultures, as well as a Master’s degree in Globalization, Identity, and Technology. Lorena has lectured at prestigious institutions, including Fairleigh Dickinson University, Nottingham Trent University, and the University of Oxford. Her journalism career includes working for the BBC in London and producing television content in Mexico and Japan. She has published extensively on digital cultures, social media, technology, and capitalism. Lorena is interested in exploring how digital innovation impacts cultural and social dynamics and has a keen interest in blockchain technology. In her free time, Lorena enjoys science fiction books and films, board games, and thrilling adventures that get her heart racing. A perfect day for her includes a spa session and a good family meal.
See more