Why You Should Avoid Doing Business with Companies Using DeepSeek: Protecting Your Data from Chinese Government Surveillance

Dell D.C. Carvalho
Feb 4
4 min read

In the modern age of interconnected digital platforms, maintaining privacy and securing data has become paramount. As the digital landscape evolves, so too do the methods by which companies and governments collect, analyze, and use personal information. One of the most concerning developments in this regard is the use of software tools like DeepSeek. If you’re considering entering into business relationships, it’s crucial to understand the potential risks associated with companies that use such technologies. This article explores why doing business with anyone who uses DeepSeek could compromise your data and expose you to the reach of the Chinese government.

A businessman grapples with the risks of digital surveillance as Chinese data-harvesting networks loom in the background.

What is DeepSeek?

DeepSeek is an advanced data-collection tool that has been linked to surveillance and data harvesting activities¹. Although it is marketed as a tool for improving business operations and customer insight, it has been widely criticized for its ability to access and analyze large amounts of personal data. The tool is known to harvest everything from browsing habits to sensitive personal information. This data is then processed and potentially shared with various entities, including governmental bodies².

The Risk of Data Compromise

When you use services or engage with companies that employ DeepSeek, you’re potentially giving access to an immense amount of private data. DeepSeek’s software is capable of collecting a broad range of user data, often without the full consent or knowledge of the individuals being monitored³. The concerning aspect is that such information doesn’t simply vanish into the ether; it is stored and analyzed, and, in many cases, can be handed over to government agencies⁴.

For example, many companies that rely on Chinese-made or Chinese-backed technologies are required, under China’s Foreign Investment Law (2019) and other regulations, to cooperate with Chinese authorities in matters of data sharing⁵. This means that sensitive business data and personal information collected by tools like DeepSeek may ultimately be sent to Chinese government agencies, including those involved in surveillance and intelligence gathering⁶.

The Chinese Government’s Role

The Chinese government has a well-documented history of leveraging data for surveillance purposes, and its laws regarding data collection are particularly concerning for foreign businesses⁷. China’s cybersecurity laws compel domestic companies to share data with the government if requested, making it nearly impossible for foreign firms using Chinese technology to fully protect their customer data from state surveillance⁸. The government’s interests extend beyond just economic concerns; security and intelligence gathering are major priorities⁹.

With software like DeepSeek, companies using the tool could be unknowingly providing the Chinese government access to critical data streams. This may include business communications, consumer habits, and even private financial information¹⁰. This creates significant vulnerabilities, especially for companies operating internationally, whose data could be used for purposes beyond business, including state-sponsored surveillance or espionage¹¹.

How DeepSeek Exposes Your Business to Risks

Data Privacy Violations: Businesses are responsible for protecting the privacy of their customers and clients. By using a tool like DeepSeek, companies may be violating privacy agreements and laws, such as GDPR in Europe or CCPA in California, as they allow unauthorized access to user data¹².
Compromising Intellectual Property: For companies that rely on proprietary data or intellectual property, using software that sends data to foreign governments could lead to significant risks of intellectual property theft. The Chinese government has been known to exploit corporate data to advance national interests, which can lead to intellectual property loss for businesses⁷.
Legal Implications: Companies that allow DeepSeek to harvest data may inadvertently be violating local data protection laws, potentially facing costly lawsuits and regulatory penalties⁸. Additionally, by using this software, businesses may find themselves entangled in international disputes over data sovereignty, which could damage their reputation and trust with customers⁹.

Steps to Protect Your Business

To ensure your company remains safe from the risk of data compromise through tools like DeepSeek, consider the following precautions:

Know Your Partners: Investigate the software tools and technologies that your business partners are using. Demand transparency about how your data is collected, stored, and used¹⁰.
Conduct Regular Audits: Perform frequent audits of your own data collection practices to ensure that no third-party tools are compromising your data security¹¹.
Use Trusted Data Security Solutions: Implement software and security protocols that prioritize data encryption, user consent, and compliance with international data protection regulations¹².
Stay Informed About Global Data Laws: Familiarize yourself with the legal frameworks in place regarding data collection in the regions you operate. Keep abreast of any updates or changes to these laws to ensure compliance³.

Conclusion

In the ever-evolving world of business and technology, safeguarding your data is essential. Tools like DeepSeek, while seemingly innocuous or even beneficial for improving business operations, pose a significant risk by compromising data security and potentially putting you in breach of international data privacy laws. With data being such a valuable asset, you can’t afford to ignore the potential for exploitation by malicious actors, including foreign governments like China. Protect your business by making informed decisions, avoiding dangerous tools like DeepSeek, and ensuring that the partners you work with prioritize data security and privacy above all else.

References

¹ China’s Foreign Investment Law (2019). Available at: https://www.npc.gov.cn

² Creemers, R. (2020). China’s Cybersecurity Law: A Translation and Commentary. Leiden Asia Centre.

³ Mozur, P. (2018). China’s Surveillance State Will Define the Future. The New York Times.

⁴ Hoffman, S. (2019). The Party and the Platform: China’s Surveillance Strategy. Journal of Strategic Studies, 42(3–4), 251–280.

⁵ Wang, Y. (2021). Data Sovereignty and the Digital Silk Road: A Legal Perspective. Asia-Pacific Law Review, 29(1), 45–67.

⁶ European Data Protection Board (EDPB) (2022). Guidelines on International Data Transfers and GDPR Compliance.

⁷ California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) (2018). Available at: https://oag.ca.gov/privacy/ccpa

⁸ McLaughlin, T. (2021). How China Uses AI to Expand Its Surveillance Network. The Atlantic.

⁹ Segal, A. (2020). China’s Vision for Cyber Sovereignty and Its Global Influence. Council on Foreign Relations.

¹⁰ United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) (2023). Guidance on Foreign Data Collection Threats to U.S. Businesses.

¹¹ Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) (2022). Mapping China’s Tech Influence and Data Collection Practices.

¹² Feldstein, S. (2021). The Rise of Digital Authoritarianism: China’s Role in Exporting Surveillance Technology. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.