House Investigates DeepSeek Over US Data Collection and Chinese Propaganda Links

In a newly launched investigation, members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee sent a letter to DeepSeek raising concerns that the company may be harvesting Americans’ personal and sensitive information, potentially exposing the U.S. to significant data security risks.

Committee leaders, Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) and Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), stated that DeepSeek admits to transferring American user data to servers in China, where it is likely accessed by individuals linked to the CCP. They warned that such a relationship could threaten both national security and citizens’ privacy.

DeepSeek’s privacy policy confirms that it stores all user interactions — both questions and responses — on servers located within China. Consequently, several states, including New York, Texas, and Virginia, have banned the use of DeepSeek on government devices.

This investigation mirrors the earlier concerns surrounding TikTok, where ByteDance faced criticism over its data-sharing practices with the CCP. TikTok is now banned from U.S. government devices and faces a potential nationwide ban. Meanwhile, other countries — such as Canada, Australia, South Korea, Taiwan, and Italy — have also prohibited DeepSeek for similar security reasons. Notably, South Korea accused DeepSeek of sharing user data with ByteDance earlier this year.

The Committee’s letter also highlights fears that Chinese firms are leveraging U.S. technology to boost AI advancements. Reports suggest that DeepSeek’s R1 model may have been trained by replicating outputs from American AI systems. Lawmakers are requesting DeepSeek to detail the type and source of data used in its training and to clarify whether any information is shared with Chinese state entities. Additionally, they want assurances about whether the AI’s outputs are being steered to promote CCP-aligned narratives.

DeepSeek has made waves in Silicon Valley by developing technology that rivals leading AI models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, but at a fraction of the cost. The Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees AI and data privacy issues, has a history of taking strong actions, including driving legislation against TikTok’s parent company.

In April, the House’s Select Committee on the CCP concluded that DeepSeek not only funneled American data back to China but also manipulated AI outputs to align with Chinese government propaganda.