How does DeepSeek AI or Open AI have anything to do with 1984? To answer your question in one word, privacy. The book 1984 is all about ‘Big Brother’ watching everything you do, a complete lack of privacy.
We are not saying that AI is going to take over the world, or that you should fear a tool like AI that is positively changing lives today. What we are saying is that DeepSeek AI is different that Open Ai due to its’ ability to drastically reduce your privacy.
Our goal is to present you with the information we have found so that you can make wise decisions about the technology you use, and how it affects your life beyond the immediate gratification of getting a swift answer to an AI prompt.
What is DeepSeek?
DeepSeek is a cutting-edge AI platform designed to help users with tasks like content creation, data analysis, and idea generation. It’s been lauded for its efficiency and powerful capabilities, which rival other popular AI tools like ChatGPT, an OpenAI product. However, while its performance may seem comparable, the story of DeepSeek’s origins and practices sets it apart—and not in a good way.
DeepSeek was developed in China, a country known for its aggressive approach to data collection and surveillance. Chinese law requires companies to share any collected data with the government upon request. In short, the information you share with DeepSeek—whether personal or professional—could potentially end up in the hands of the Chinese government. And this isn’t limited to users in China. If you’re in the U.S., U.K., or anywhere else in the world, your data is subject to the same risks.
This setup raises serious concerns about privacy and security. Who has access to your data? DeepSeek’s developers do, of course. But thanks to China’s laws, the Chinese government could also access it anytime they see fit. Once your data is collected and stored on these servers, it’s beyond your control—and potentially beyond your country’s jurisdiction.
This is where DeepSeek diverges significantly from tools like ChatGPT, which operate under much stricter privacy and security regulations. ChatGPT ensures user data is anonymized and protected, whereas DeepSeek’s practices open the door to misuse and exploitation of your information.
DeepSeek vs. ChatGPT: Same Concept, Different Risks
You’ve probably heard of ChatGPT. It’s a widely popular AI tool that’s changing how we work and learn. You type in a question or prompt, and ChatGPT responds with useful, often spot-on answers, using the Large-Language-Model or LLM of OpenAI. DeepSeek works in a similar way. It’s sleek, fast, and offers advanced features that rival even the best AI apps.
But here’s where the two differ: ChatGPT operates within privacy and security guidelines, designed to protect your data. With DeepSeek, all data processed by the app—whether text you type it in, the audio you record, or files you upload—is stored on servers located within China. But it doesn’t stop there. DeepSeek also collects your device information, such as your phone or computer model, operating system, and even your IP address, which can reveal your approximate location.
Why does this matter? Because your private information, whether it’s your business ideas, personal thoughts, or even your location, could potentially end up in the hands of a foreign government.
This isn’t just speculation; it’s a documented risk. While ChatGPT protects your privacy to a point, DeepSeek opens a door you may not even realize you’re walking through. And once you’ve shared your data, you can’t take it back.
Data Misuse and the Dystopian Reality of “1984”
If you’ve read George Orwell’s 1984 or heard references to its concept of “Big Brother,” you know it depicts a society where privacy is nonexistent, and every action is monitored by an omnipresent government. While 1984 is fiction, the parallels with DeepSeek’s data practices are unsettlingly real. Orwell’s story revolved around control—control of thoughts, speech, and behavior—all maintained through surveillance and manipulation. DeepSeek’s data collection and censorship practices create the foundation for something eerily similar.
DeepSeek doesn’t just store your data. It takes every interaction you have with the app—whether it’s a personal thought, a professional draft, or a controversial question—and preserve and potentially scrutinize it. Now imagine this data being accessed and used to build psychological profiles, influence decisions, or suppress certain narratives. This isn’t a stretch; it’s the logical outcome of unregulated access to massive amounts of personal information.
Consider how Orwell’s 1984 depicts the manipulation of information. The government in the book not only watches but actively rewrites history and censors dissenting opinions to maintain control. DeepSeek has already been shown to filter content critical of the Chinese government. What’s to stop it from shaping the narratives users are exposed to? Over time, this type of subtle control could shape opinions, limit perspectives, and suppress free expression—without users even realizing it’s happening.
But the risks aren’t limited to individuals. When millions of people rely on a platform that prioritizes censorship over truth, the ripple effects can influence entire societies. This is where the danger of DeepSeek aligns with Orwell’s warnings. We’re not just talking about data collection—we’re talking about the potential for systemic control of information, thought, and, ultimately, democracy itself.
The Bigger Picture: How DeepSeek Impacts U.S. Businesses and Innovation
The risks of DeepSeek extend far beyond personal privacy. Its rapid rise threatens the foundations of American business, innovation, and even economic stability. To understand how, let’s break it down.
First, DeepSeek’s business model creates an unfair playing field for U.S.-based AI companies. While American firms operate under strict privacy and security regulations, DeepSeek operates in a system that encourages aggressive data collection and sharing. In China, state-backed companies often receive subsidies and strategic support, allowing them to offer their products at lower costs or even for free. DeepSeek’s access to massive amounts of user data from around the world enables it to refine its algorithms faster, offering cutting-edge features that American companies can’t match without compromising their own ethical standards.
This imbalance forces U.S. companies to either compete on unfair terms or fall behind. When competitors like DeepSeek dominate the market, American businesses lose customers, revenue, and market share. Over time, this weakens the ability of U.S. companies to invest in innovation. The consequences? A less competitive AI industry in the United States, which could leave the country dependent on foreign technology—a risky prospect, especially when that technology is tied to adversarial nations.
The risks grow even more alarming when we consider businesses that might unknowingly use DeepSeek for professional purposes. Imagine a U.S. company uploading sensitive documents, customer data, or proprietary research into DeepSeek. That information, once processed, is stored on servers in China and subject to Chinese data-sharing laws. In the worst-case scenario, this could lead to corporate espionage, with Chinese firms gaining access to intellectual property and trade secrets that give them a competitive edge.
But the problem doesn’t stop at economic risks. DeepSeek’s practices could also disrupt trust in AI. When businesses and consumers start to see AI as a tool that compromises privacy and security, it undermines confidence in the industry. This distrust could stifle adoption of legitimate AI tools, slowing progress in industries that rely on AI for advancements—from healthcare to manufacturing to education.
DeepSeek’s impact on innovation also poses national security risks. AI isn’t just a tool for businesses—it’s a critical component of defense systems, cybersecurity, and strategic industries. If American companies fall behind or become reliant on foreign AI, it creates vulnerabilities that adversaries could exploit. The erosion of U.S. leadership in AI is more than an economic concern; it’s a strategic threat.
How Triad InfoSec Can Help You Navigate AI Safely
If you’re reading this and wondering how to safely integrate AI into your business, you’re not alone. The good news is that companies like Triad InfoSec are stepping up to provide solutions. Triad InfoSec offers an AI governance program that ensures the AI tools you use are safe, secure, and compliant with the highest privacy standards.
What does this mean for you? It means you can leverage the power of AI without worrying about data misuse, security breaches, or unintentional risks to your business. Triad InfoSec helps businesses understand which AI tools are trustworthy and how to implement them responsibly. Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, their expertise can protect you from the pitfalls of apps like DeepSeek while helping you stay competitive in the AI-driven world.
Why This Matters Now
AI is here to stay, and it’s changing the way we live and work. Things like OpenAI and ChatGPT show us how powerful and beneficial this technology can be. But DeepSeek is a reminder that not all AI tools are created with your best interests in mind. Its practices raise serious questions about privacy, security, and the influence of foreign governments.
The choice is yours. Will you take the time to learn about the risks and make informed decisions? Will you advocate for safer AI practices, both in your personal life and in your business? If we don’t act now, we risk stepping into a world where Orwell’s 1984 feels less like fiction and more like reality.
AI should work for you, not against you. And with the right tools, guidance, and governance, it can. Triad InfoSec is here to help you navigate this new era safely, ensuring that AI serves as a tool for growth—not a threat to your privacy or security. Let’s make sure the future of AI is one we can trust.
