Cyberattack on DeepSeek - Chinese media alleges US involvement

DeepSeek faces major cyberattacks traced to the US, escalating AI tensions. As the model gains traction, security concerns grow, fueling the global AI rivalry between China and the US.

Major and sustained cyberattacks on the Chinese AI model DeepSeek originated in the United States, Chinese media reported on Thursday, intensifying tensions in the global AI landscape.

According to state media outlet CCTV, the attacks, which began on January 3, escalated into a large-scale brute-force assault on Monday and Tuesday, with all recorded attack IPs traced back to the US.

The cyberattacks on DeepSeek unfolded in multiple phases, initially involving distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks aimed at overwhelming the AI model’s servers and disrupting normal service. As the attacks progressed, they evolved into brute-force intrusions targeting user IDs and passwords, allegedly attempting to gain deeper insights into DeepSeek’s functionalities.

These claims were substantiated by China’s cybersecurity firm QAX Technology Group, which has been monitoring the attacks closely.

A cybersecurity expert speaking to CCTV asserted, “All the attack IPs were recorded; all are from the US.” While there has been no independent confirmation of these allegations, the accusations have fueled further geopolitical friction surrounding AI competition and cybersecurity.

DeepSeek, developed by a Hangzhou-based startup, has emerged as a formidable challenger to established AI models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. The model is recognized for its advanced reasoning capabilities while operating with significantly lower resource consumption compared to its Western counterparts.

Earlier this month, DeepSeek made headlines by releasing its open-source AI model, R1, marking a significant move toward transparency and accessibility in AI development. However, this rapid ascent has not been without controversy. US President Donald Trump’s Commerce Secretary nominee, Howard Lutnick, alleged on Wednesday that DeepSeek had misused American technology, further intensifying the debate over global AI leadership.

The allegations of US involvement in cyberattacks against DeepSeek come amid broader tensions in global AI competition and cybersecurity. While China’s claims remain unverified by independent sources, the accusations are likely to add to the existing friction between the world’s two largest economies.

As the Chinese AI app DeepSeek gains widespread popularity among American users, officials from the Trump administration, lawmakers, and cybersecurity experts are raising concerns about the potential threat it poses to U.S. national security.

When DeepSeek launched in the U.S. on Monday, it quickly soared to the top of Apple's app store, becoming the most downloaded free application in the country. The app’s sudden rise has also caused a stir on Wall Street, as investors scramble to assess the impact of a low-cost, open-source generative AI tool that could rival leading AI platforms like OpenAI's ChatGPT.

As AI development becomes increasingly intertwined with national security and economic power, both China and the US continue to navigate a complex and highly competitive technological landscape.

Whether these cyberattacks were an isolated incident or part of a broader trend remains to be seen, but one thing is clear - DeepSeek has become a pivotal player in the future of AI, and its rise is being closely observed worldwide.

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