‘Is DeepSeek the TikTok of AI?’ Rajeev Chandrasekhar raises data concerns, netizens say: ‘distraction, think big’

Amid concerns raised by a social media user on X (formerly known as Twitter), that Chinese start-up DeepSeek is storing customer data, former union minister and BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar asked if the AI dark horse is destined for a treatment similar to its Chinese TikTok in the United States.

“Question of the Day Q: Is DeepSeek AI the Tiktok of AI? A: your answers in comments pls,” Chandrasekhar posted on X on January 28.

What Data Privacy Concerns Over DeepSeek?

Chandrsekhar's post was triggered by a netizen's post that noted that DeepSeek's app disclosures state that it automatically collects user information, which is secured in servers located in China.

As per the official ‘Automatically Collected Information’ details posted, the start-up automatically collects usage information including “internet or other network activity information such as your IP address, unique device identifiers, and cookies”.

In terms of technical information, the app collects certain device and network connection information, such as “… your device model, operating system, keystroke patterns or rhythms, IP address, and system language”.

“We also collect service-related, diagnostic, and performance information, including crash reports and performance logs. We automatically assign you a device ID and user ID. Where you log-in from multiple devices, we use information such as your device ID and user ID to identify your activity across devices to give you a seamless log-in experience and for security purposes,” the disclosure added.

As per the statement, the personal information collected “may be stored on a server located outside of the country where you live. We store the information we collect in secure servers located in the People's Republic of China”.

How Did Netizens React to Rajeev Chandrasekhar's Question?

One user said, “Looks more like a distraction sir. Being in politics, you know how sometimes deliberate noise is made to do something in silence which is usually not easy if done without a distraction.” (sic)

Another added: “See, DeepSeek AI is “open source” under MIT license that allows you to use it for commercial purpose. Deploy it on your own servers inside your own country and the data won’t go anywhere.” (sic)

A netizen said, “See Mr Rajeev sir, the question is not about who is collecting your data. Be it china or America, the government of India and the citizens of India are voluntarily giving all personal information to big tech companies and social media companies. So what is the whole point?” (sic)

Others backed Indian companies in the field, saying, “We need to recognise the chinese jugaad in the LLM domain rather than trivialising it! It also opens an opportunity for Indian startups to build high performance, low cost models using open source LLMs like Llama and DeepSeek! What stops us from thinking big?” (sic)

And another added: “Any company which uses user data and key information, stores in their country may at any time in future make us vulnerable as consumer. US is no Saint nor the China. India needs it's own tech backyard, and stop complete dependence on East and West!” (sic)