Revised personal data policies mandated for DeepSeek, necessitating removal of improperly handled user data.

Revised personal data policies mandated for DeepSeek, necessitating removal of improperly handled user data.

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InputStream the DeepSeek app in this image from January 29. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

A DeepSeek AI sign graces the facade of a Beijing building where the Chinese start-up's office resides, as seen in this photo taken on February 19, 2025. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

Concerns about user privacy, minors, and compliance

Nam Seok, Investigation and Mediation Bureau director general at the Personal Information Protection Commission, announced preliminary findings regarding DeepSeek during a Government Complex Seoul briefing in central Seoul on April 24. [YONHAP]

Questions loom regarding minority protectionsSigns now indicate that the DeeSeek app is either restricted for download or usage as of April 17. [PERSONAL INFORMATION PROTECTION COMMISSION]

Authorities issue mandates and advisoriesTranslation of the JoongAng Ilbo using generative AI and staff edits:

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The U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has expressed alarm over DeepSeek AI's operations and compliance risks, although specific issues like user consent and minor protection aren't explicitly addressed in available reports. Key findings include:

Security and Compliance Concerns

• Data transfer to questionable origins: The committee claims DeepSeek routes U.S. user data to Chinese military-linked back-end infrastructure, raising concerns about unauthorized government access[5].
• Potential proprietary model theft: DeepSeek staff allegedly resorted to alias use and international banking channels to purchase U.S. AI model accounts, flouting terms of service to pilfer outputs for model "distillation"—a process criticized for mimicking proprietary AI abilities[3][5].
• Export restriction violations: The company reportedly employs advanced Nvidia chips, which are restricted for export to China, defying U.S. trade restrictions[5].

Propaganda and Influence

• Pro-CCP bias: The AI's responses reportedly propagate CCP narratives, as state-affiliated social media accounts broadcast its release to bolster China's geopolitical objectives[3][5].
• State-funded development: DeepSeek operates within China's state-sponsored Hangzhou Chengxi Science and Technology Innovation Corridor, aligning with Beijing's tech-focused objectives[3].

Regulatory and Ethical Shortcomings

Although reports primarily emphasize national security perils, they do not explicitly discuss local regulations for minors or user consent procedures. However, suspect data practices—such as potential real-time user data transfers—reveal inadequacies in data management and privacy safeguards[5][3]. U.S. lawmakers warn that DeepSeek's rapid advancements underscore weaknesses in existing oversight mechanisms, calling for enhanced export controls and AI governance[4][5].

For clarification, the lack of focus on minor-specific protections in the reports could be due to the investigation prioritizing economic espionage and geopolitical risks, though the described data practices would invariably impact all user demographics[1][5].

1. The U.S. government has raised concerns about DeepSeek AI's operations and compliance issues, particularly data transfer to questionable origins, potential proprietary model theft, and export restriction violations.
2. DeepSeek's alleged data practices, such as potential real-time user data transfers, have revealed inadequacies in data management and privacy safeguards, raising questions about the protection of minors and user consent procedures.
3. Reports on DeepSeek primarily focus on national security perils, but they do not explicitly discuss local regulations for minors or user consent procedures, which are crucial elements in technology policy-and-legislation and politics.
4. The developments and rapid advancements of DeepSeek AI underscore weaknesses in existing oversight mechanisms, leading U.S. lawmakers to call for enhanced export controls and AI governance to ensure general-news coverage of these matters.
5. Although the investigation prioritized economic espionage and geopolitical risks, the described data practices would invariably impact all user demographics, including minors, thus necessitating a comprehensive approach to technology policy and legislation.

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