Tech
China Pushes Back as US Politicians Push to Ban DeepSeek
As US lawmakers push to ban Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from government devices, global tech experts are instead focusing on the potential benefits its innovations could deliver worldwide.
DeepSeek is expected to take centre stage at the upcoming AI Summit in Paris. Analysts believe the company’s global attention underscores the difficulty of halting Chinese technological progress. They argue that advancements in this field are bound to surpass political roadblocks.
While DeepSeek continues to make waves in the AI industry, US lawmakers are pursuing measures to block the app from federal devices. On Thursday, the Associated Press reported that Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Darin LaHood (R-IL) introduced the “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act.”
DeepSeek Security Claims Disputed
They cited worries about the app potentially being used by the Chinese government for surveillance and misinformation as their primary justification. Several countries, mostly US allies, reportedly restrict or ban DeepSeek over claimed “security concerns.”
In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized at a Thursday press briefing that China prioritizes data privacy and security under the law.
Guo stated, “We have never asked and will never ask any company or individual to collect or store data in violation of laws.”
Guo further criticized efforts to politicize technology and trade issues under the guise of national security. He stressed that China will continue to defend its companies’ legal rights and interests against such actions.
Li Baiyang, an associate professor at Nanjing University, argued that the so-called “security risks” being raised are rooted in political bias. He explained that Western nations often struggle to accept advanced technologies from China.
DeepSeek promotes transparency
Meanwhile, Voice of America published a report in Chinese, claiming that DeepSeek could serve as a tool for “speech control” and “public opinion manipulation.”
Li dismissed these allegations as baseless, noting that DeepSeek promotes transparency in its reasoning process through clear chains of thought, which he said reduces bias and enhances understanding.
Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the UN, also addressed the issue of AI collaboration between China and the US. Fu stated that containment strategies are ineffective and highlighted the importance of cooperation between the two leading AI nations.
“From Huawei to TikTok, and now DeepSeek—how many bans does the US plan to impose? We don’t need more bans,” Fu urged, warning that both nations cannot afford to ignore the potential benefits of working together.
Liu Dingding, a technology analyst, suggested that recent bans, such as those by Italy and Australia, are not purely about security. Instead, Liu believes these actions are efforts to counteract how DeepSeek’s breakthroughs have disrupted the balance of power in the AI sector.
For years, it was widely believed that AI innovation required immense computing resources and institutional control. According to Liu, DeepSeek’s achievements using cost-effective, open-access methods have challenged this notion, reshaping the industry and threatening the dominance of established powers.
When discussing the proposed ban, US Representative Darin LaHood described the United States’ competition with China in AI as one it “cannot afford to lose.” He asserted that safeguarding American data and leadership in AI must remain a priority.
Cutting-edge AI tools
Critics, however, view this stance as prioritizing dominance over broader access to emerging technologies. Li argued that the push for restrictions focuses on maintaining power rather than fostering innovation that benefits the public.
Despite political opposition, many in the tech industry are embracing DeepSeek. Reuters reported that the platform enables companies to access cutting-edge AI tools at significantly lower costs.
European startups, often constrained by limited funding compared to their American counterparts, are particularly optimistic about the opportunities DeepSeek could provide.
The 2025 AI Action Summit, scheduled for February 10, is set to feature DeepSeek as a key topic. An article from the think tank New America highlighted concerns over how some US policymakers focus on isolating Chinese technology rather than fostering innovation.
The article also noted DeepSeek’s ability to operate efficiently despite American semiconductor sanctions, suggesting that such export controls may not be as effective as intended.
The widespread recognition DeepSeek has received from the tech community suggests that bans driven by political motives rather than technological issues reflect a double standard.
Li pointed out that these efforts often reveal the inconsistencies in how Chinese technology is treated in the US.
Ultimately, experts believe that no matter the political barriers erected, significant technological advancements will continue to pave the way forward. Progress in innovation, they argue, cannot be stopped.
