The US has accused Chinese AI firm DeepSeek of aiding Beijing's military and intelligence services, while attempting to bypass export restrictions for advanced semiconductor technology. According to a senior US State Department official, DeepSeek has collaborated with China's military and intelligence sectors, with over 150 procurement records linked to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and associated defense entities.
The company allegedly shares user data and analytics with China's surveillance systems, raising concerns about privacy for its tens of millions of global users. DeepSeek reportedly used shell entities in Southeast Asia to access high-end Nvidia chips, such as the H100, which are restricted under US export controls.
Nvidia claims that DeepSeek lawfully acquired less powerful H800 parts, but the incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the US and China over technology and security. The allegations have sparked concerns about the potential misuse of AI technology and the need for tighter export controls.
DeepSeek has not publicly commented on the allegations, while Nvidia stated that it does not support customers who breach export controls. The US State Department official declined to confirm whether DeepSeek successfully evaded export controls, but emphasized that the company has willingly supported China's military and intelligence operations.
