Today, Chairman John Moolenaar and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi of the House Select Committee on China published a report that identifies DeepSeek, a Chinese AI platform, as a significant security risk to the U.S.
The report, titled “DeepSeek Unmasked: Exposing the CCP’s Latest Tool For Spying, Stealing, and Subverting U.S. Export Control Restrictions,” alleges DeepSeek is involved in transmitting American user data to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and distorting information to sync with CCP propaganda. It also claims that DeepSeek was developed using material unlawfully sourced from U.S. artificial intelligence models and operates on numerous Nvidia chips, some under U.S. export control orders.
“This report makes it clear: DeepSeek isn’t just another AI app — it’s a weapon in the Chinese Communist Party’s arsenal, designed to spy on Americans, steal our technology, and subvert U.S. law,” said Chairman Moolenaar. He also stated, “We now know this tool exploited U.S. AI models and reportedly used advanced Nvidia chips that should never have ended up in CCP hands. That’s why we’re sending a letter to Nvidia to demand answers. American innovation should never be the engine of our adversaries’ ambitions.”
Key findings from the report reveal that DeepSeek’s responses conceal content related to democracy, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and human rights. The platform is tied to a CCP-linked firm led by Lian Wenfang and shares goals with Xi Jinping Thought. Furthermore, it presents a risk by sending U.S. user data through insecure networks to China. The report connects DeepSeek’s structure to Chinese companies known for data oversight, including ByteDance and Tencent.
Additionally, it mentions concerns about the acquisition of 60,000 Nvidia chips used in DeepSeek’s development, suggesting U.S. export control bypassing. Public records suggest Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang prompted a redesign to exploit loopholes after 2023 restrictions, an issue the Trump Administration is addressing.
In light of these details, the Select Committee has formally reached out to Nvidia for clarification on chip sales to China. They aim to further probe how American innovation is potentially strengthening CCP initiatives against U.S. interests.
The Committee assures continuation of their inquiry into how U.S. technology is misappropriately aiding the CCP, working to prevent American companies from enabling efforts that threaten national security.
Read the full report: DeepSeek Unmasked: Exposing the CCP’s Latest Tool For Spying, Stealing, and Subverting U.S. Export Control Restrictions
