Is DeepSeek Safe?

Following the surprise introduction of Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek, here we look at what makes it different, and why concerns are growing over its safety and privacy implications.

What is DeepSeek?

DeepSeek is a Chinese-developed AI chatbot that functions much like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini. The app exploded in popularity following its release in January 2025. It has reportedly already surpassed three million downloads, becoming the most-downloaded free app on Apple’s App Store in the US. Compared to competitors such as Perplexity, it has been downloaded at three times the rate.