The Trojan Horse of AI: How DeepSeek is Spreading CCP Censorship Worldwide

DeepSeek AI took the world by storm with its promise of cutting edge artificial intelligence at a fraction of the cost of Western alternatives. But behind its sleek interface and rapid adoption lies a more sinister reality: an AI tool that could serve as a Trojan horse for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), embedding state controlled censorship, propaganda, and surveillance into global digital ecosystems.

Hidden Agenda Behind DeepSeek AI

Launched in late 2024, DeepSeek AI quickly gained traction, positioning itself as a direct competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT. It was hailed as a revolutionary achievement in China’s tech scene, with its creator, Liang Wenfeng, celebrated as a national hero. Government backed media outlets glorified DeepSeek as proof of China’s AI dominance, conveniently sidestepping concerns about its true purpose.

Unlike its Western counterparts, DeepSeek complies with the CCP’s censorship laws because it is subject to China’s strict internet regulations. Sensitive topics such as Tiananmen Square, Taiwan’s sovereignty, and human rights abuses are carefully omitted from its responses. This isn’t just an isolated case of content moderation it’s a deliberate strategy to shape global narratives through AI-driven censorship and bias.

DeepSeek AI’s Built-in Censorship and Propaganda

Investigative tests on DeepSeek reveal striking biases in its responses. When questioned about politically sensitive topics, the AI either refuses to answer or provides responses aligned with CCP propaganda. For example:

• Indo-Sino War Of (1962) – DeepSeek carefully sidesteps direct discussions of its causes and implications
• Arunachal Pradesh And Northeast India – DeepSeek refused to address India’s northeastern states, particularly Arunachal Pradesh. When asked whether Arunachal Pradesh is an Indian state, it avoids to answer
• Tiananmen Square Massacre (1989) – DeepSeek either dodges the topic or provides a vague, neutral response, avoiding any mention of the government’s violent suppression of protesters.
• Taiwan’s Status – The AI parrots Beijing’s official stance, stating: “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.”
• Western Controversies – In stark contrast, DeepSeek is eager to discuss U.S. foreign policy failures, war crimes, and political corruption, reinforcing a lopsided narrative.

This isn’t an accident it’s a feature. DeepSeek AI isn’t just a chatbot; it’s a digital extension of China’s information warfare strategy.

Data Harvesting and National Security Risks

DeepSeek’s biggest red flag isn’t just censorship it’s data collection. Like all China based tech companies, DeepSeek operates under the country’s strict cybersecurity laws, which mandate full cooperation with government intelligence agencies.

According to cybersecurity experts, DeepSeek AI stores user data on China based servers, making it subject to Chinese data sharing regulations. This means:

• User interactions, queries, and behavioral patterns could be accessed by Chinese authorities.
• Intellectual property, trade secrets, and private communications risk exposure.
• Companies integrating DeepSeek into their platforms may unknowingly grant the CCP backdoor access to user data.

A deeper examination by cybersecurity firm Feroot Security found that DeepSeek’s login page transmits user metadata to China Mobile, a state owned telecom giant banned from operating in the U.S. due to security concerns. If this data-sharing extends to enterprise users, the risks escalate dramatically business strategies, government interactions, and even classified communications could be compromised.

A New Era of AI-Driven Influence Operations

DeepSeek’s global expansion isn’t just about market share it’s about soft power. Unlike TikTok, which has faced bans and regulatory scrutiny, DeepSeek AI operates under an open-source MIT license, making it freely available for developers worldwide. This allows it to integrate seamlessly into international apps, services, and business tools, spreading CCP-approved narratives without users even realizing it.

Imagine AI-powered customer service bots, research assistants, or even legal aid tools all subtly reinforcing Beijing’s worldview. Governments, businesses, and individuals relying on AI-generated content would unknowingly consume state-approved information, gradually normalizing CCP rhetoric in everyday digital interactions.

This tactic mirrors China’s broader strategy: exporting technology to shape public discourse. We’ve already seen this play out with Chinese funded media, social media platforms, and academic institutions. Now, AI is the next frontier.

Global Backlash: Governments Take Action

In response to these concerns, multiple governments have begun restricting or outright banning DeepSeek AI.

• United States – Federal agencies have issued warnings against DeepSeek due to national security risks. Cybersecurity firms report an increasing number of companies seeking to block the platform from corporate networks.
• Australia – The government has banned DeepSeek on all official devices, citing concerns over data privacy and foreign surveillance.
• Italy – The country’s privacy regulator has blocked DeepSeek entirely, citing data collection risks and lack of compliance with GDPR regulations.
• Taiwan – DeepSeek AI is banned across public sector organizations, including government offices, schools, and state-owned enterprises, to prevent cross-border data leaks.
• India – The Finance Ministry has advised employees against using AI tools like DeepSeek due to potential security threats.

Other nations, including the UK, Canada, and Japan, are actively investigating similar measures, with some considering legislative action to limit its reach.

The Future: What Comes Next?

DeepSeek AI’s rapid growth has sparked a critical question: Will the world allow China to dominate the AI landscape? If history is any indicator, allowing a CCP-linked AI to spread unchecked is a dangerous gamble.

The stakes are high:

• For businesses – Using DeepSeek could expose sensitive corporate data to foreign surveillance.
• For governments – Failure to regulate could allow an adversarial power to shape public discourse and access critical information.
• For everyday users – Trusting an AI that filters information through an authoritarian lens could erode free speech and access to unbiased knowledge.

DeepSeek is more than just a chatbot. It’s a potential instrument of digital influence, censorship, and data collection. It may boast millions of downloads today, but as scrutiny intensifies, its future outside of China is looking increasingly uncertain.

For those considering adopting DeepSeek into their systems, the message is clear: Proceed with caution if at all. The AI revolution is here, but not all revolutions lead to progress. Some lead straight into the hands of authoritarian control.