A hidden piece of code discovered in the web version of the Chinese AI Deepseek raises concerns about potential data transfers to the Chinese telecommunications giant China Mobile, a company linked to the Chinese government and the military. Cybersecurity experts warn that this could be a large-scale surveillance operation targeting users worldwide.
A Hidden Code Connecting Deepseek to China Mobile
Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered a stealthy piece of code embedded in Deepseek’s web-based interface. This code appears to be part of the user registration and login process, but in reality, it establishes a link between the AI system and China Mobile, one of China’s largest telecommunications providers.
The discovery, first reported by ABC News and The Independent, has raised major concerns, particularly in the United States. China Mobile, a state-controlled entity, has been sanctioned by the U.S. government due to its alleged connections with the Chinese military.
Data Collection at an Alarming Scale
According to Feroot, a Canadian cybersecurity company that detected the suspicious code, Deepseek collects extensive data on users’ devices. The company warns that this data could be secretly transmitted to China Mobile without users’ knowledge.
Ivan Tsarynny, CEO of Feroot, did not mince words:
“It is shocking that we are allowing China to probe Americans unknowingly, and yet no action is being taken to stop it.”
Further investigations by Associated Press confirmed the presence of the code, with experts noting that its activation might be selective, depending on the user’s location or login method.
Beyond TikTok: A Far Greater Risk
Cybersecurity specialists argue that this potential data transfer poses a bigger threat than other Chinese applications like TikTok.
Joel Reardon, a researcher at the University of Calgary, confirmed that the code did not actively transfer data during his tests. However, he warned that it could be activated under specific conditions, making it difficult to detect its full reach.
Unlike TikTok, which mainly involves sharing entertainment videos, Deepseek processes highly sensitive and private user queries. The AI platform could potentially expose commercial secrets, personal data, and confidential research.
“This isn’t just about sharing viral videos. We’re talking about requests that could contain sensitive business and personal information,” warned Tsarynny.
An Intentional Move or a ‘Mistake’?
The presence of this embedded code raises the question: Was it deliberately introduced into Deepseek’s system, or was it an oversight?
Experts, including Tsarynny, find it hard to believe that such a sophisticated mechanism was included by accident. The fact that Deepseek is directly linked to China Mobile, a state-owned entity under strict governmental oversight, adds weight to suspicions of a deliberate data funneling system.
The revelation has fueled calls for greater scrutiny over Chinese AI tools and their presence in Western digital ecosystems. With growing tensions between China and the U.S. over data security and AI regulation, this discovery could mark the beginning of a larger crackdown on Chinese tech platforms operating outside their borders.
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WHAT A LOT OF TOSH. HOW COME NO ONE HAS FOUND SUCH A SOFTWARE IN OTHER AI MODELS (OPEN AI? CLAUDE? GEMINI?) HAVE SOMEONE EVEN LOOKED? SILICON VALLEY HAS BEEN COLLECTING DATA FROM ALL OF US FOR DECADES AND NO ONE HAS DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. SUDDENLY, A NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE CHINESE COMPANY BEATS THE BIG TECHNO BROS ON THEIR MOST EXPENSIVE TOYS AND EVERYONE IS IN A PANIC. SOUNDS TO ME LIKE EFFORTS TO SMEAR CHINA AT ANY AND EVERY OPPORTUNITY. US CAPITALIST PROPAGANDA?
I think Ricardo has been huffing paint.
That’s the governments job to spy. They don’t want anyone else spying. I would trust China before I trust my own government
Gosh are you really that naive that you don’t know all telcomms in the western world have been doing that for years, and the internet in the west is riddled with such Spyware. Stop the sanctimonious pitch and own up to the fact China is only in catchup mode.
It seems you are the only one who knows about the hidden code
This article is just misinformation. No way they would expose chinese military groups in an open source software. There is 0 evidence in this article to base your claim on. Just they found and some guy said something… no sorry your just spreading misinformation.