Artificial intelligence is everywhere these days, and the newest player on the scene, DeepSeek, is making waves. Developed in China, this AI platform is climbing the charts, offering natural language processing tools that rival ChatGPT. But before you dive in and start feeding it your data, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the serious cybersecurity risks tied to DeepSeek.

Here’s why you should think twice about using it and what you can do to protect yourself if you decide to.

What Makes DeepSeek a Risk?

1. Your Data May Not Be Yours Anymore

DeepSeek’s privacy policy spells it out: your data—including conversations and personal details—is sent to servers in China. That’s where the problem starts. Under Chinese law, government agencies can access data stored on servers within their jurisdiction. This means any sensitive info you share with DeepSeek could potentially fall into the hands of the Chinese government or other third parties.

Whether you’re sharing personal insights or brainstorming ideas for your next big project, you’re essentially handing that data over with little to no control over what happens to it.

2. Built-In Censorship

DeepSeek doesn’t just process your data; it controls the narrative. The platform actively censors topics deemed sensitive by the Chinese government. For instance, it sidesteps discussions on events like Tiananmen Square or Taiwan’s independence. This isn’t just a political issue—it means the information you get back from the platform could be biased, incomplete, or flat-out wrong.

Think about the implications if you’re relying on it for research, decision-making, or content creation. Can you trust an AI that’s programmed to avoid certain truths?

3. Security Gaps

It’s no secret that DeepSeek has faced cyberattacks. Shortly after its rise in popularity, the platform was hit with large-scale malicious attacks that disrupted its operations. While details are scarce, the takeaway is clear: if hackers can target the platform, they might also gain access to user data.

Combine that with the fact that DeepSeek’s open-source models could potentially introduce vulnerabilities into systems where they’re integrated, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.

4. Not Multimodal

While DeepSeek’s performance is comparable to OpenAI’s o1 model for text-based tasks, it lacks multimodal capabilities. OpenAI’s models are capable of handling both text and images, giving them a broader range of applications. If you require AI that can work across multiple formats or integrate more seamlessly into diverse workflows, sticking with OpenAI might be the smarter choice—assuming you trust their privacy practices.

How to Stay Safe While Using DeepSeek

Let’s say you still want to give DeepSeek a shot. Fair enough. Here are some practical steps to minimize the risks:

1. Keep It Local

One of the best ways to mitigate risks is to run DeepSeek locally. Since DeepSeek’s models are open-source, you can download and deploy them on your own hardware. By doing this:

• You keep all data processing on your machine, ensuring no sensitive information leaves your control.

• You eliminate the risks of data interception or misuse by external servers.

• You gain the ability to audit and modify the code for additional security measures.

DeepSeek’s source code is publicly available on GitHub:

• DeepSeek GitHub Organization: https://github.com/deepseek-ai

• DeepSeek-R1 Repository: https://github.com/deepseek-ai/DeepSeek-R1

To set this up, you’ll need adequate hardware resources and some technical know-how to configure the models. This approach is particularly ideal for businesses handling sensitive data or individuals who prioritize privacy.

2. Avoid Sharing Sensitive Data

Even if you’re running DeepSeek locally, be mindful of the kind of data you feed into the AI. Avoid inputting personal, financial, or confidential information, as AI models often log data during processing (unless explicitly disabled).

3. Don’t Integrate It Into Sensitive Systems

If you’re a business, resist the urge to embed DeepSeek’s tools into your workflows without a thorough security audit. Open-source doesn’t always mean safe.

4. Double-Check Its Outputs

Cross-verify any information you get from DeepSeek, especially on sensitive or critical topics. Don’t assume the AI’s responses are unbiased or complete.

5. Stay Updated

If you’re using DeepSeek’s open-source models, make sure you’re running the latest versions with all security patches applied. Outdated software is a hacker’s playground.

6. Isolate It

Use sandboxing techniques if you’re testing or experimenting with DeepSeek’s tools. This keeps it from accessing your broader systems or data.

Final Thoughts

DeepSeek might be flashy and powerful, but its risks are just as big as its promises. Whether it’s the lack of data privacy, the built-in censorship, or the security vulnerabilities, users need to tread carefully. At the end of the day, cybersecurity comes down to making informed choices, and when it comes to DeepSeek, the choice is yours.

Personally, I’d think long and hard before handing over my data to a platform that raises so many red flags. If you’re going to use it, running it locally is by far the safest approach. However, if you need multimodal capabilities or prefer a more established ecosystem, OpenAI remains a solid option—as long as you’re comfortable with their data handling practices. Stay informed, stay cautious, and, most importantly, stay secure.

Keep it secret, keep it safe.