HomeOpenAI Labels DeepSeek 'State-Controlled,' Urges Ban on 'PRC-Produced' Models
In a recent policy proposal, OpenAI has labeled the Chinese AI lab DeepSeek as "state-subsidized" and "state-controlled," suggesting that the U.S. government should contemplate banning models developed by DeepSeek and similar operations supported by the People's Republic of China (PRC).
This proposal, submitted as part of the Trump administration's "AI Action Plan" initiative, argues that DeepSeek's models, such as its R1 "reasoning" model, pose security risks due to Chinese legal requirements that mandate compliance with government requests for user data. OpenAI recommends banning "PRC-produced" models in countries classified as "Tier 1" under the Biden administration's export rules to mitigate privacy and security concerns, including the risk of intellectual property theft.
It's not clear whether OpenAI's use of "models" includes DeepSeek's API, its open models, or both. Interestingly, DeepSeek's open models don't have built-in mechanisms for the Chinese government to access user data; instead, they are hosted by companies like Microsoft, Perplexity, and Amazon.
OpenAI has previously accused DeepSeek, which gained recognition earlier this year, of extracting knowledge from OpenAI's models in violation of its terms of service. The new claims—that DeepSeek is backed and controlled by the PRC—mark a significant escalation in OpenAI's ongoing dispute with the Chinese lab.
There's no direct evidence linking DeepSeek, a spin-off from the quantitative hedge fund High-Flyer, to the Chinese government. However, the PRC has shown a growing interest in DeepSeek recently, highlighted by a meeting between DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng and Chinese leader Xi Jinping a few weeks ago.
Updated 3/15 8:38 p.m. Pacific: Days after this story hit the news, OpenAI spokesperson Liz Bourgeois provided the following clarification:
“We're not pushing for restrictions on individuals using models like DeepSeek. Our proposal focuses on modifying U.S. export rules to enable more countries to access U.S. computing resources, provided their datacenters don't use PRC technology that could pose security risks. This isn't about limiting chip access based on fears they'll be redirected to the PRC. Our aim is to increase compute and AI access for more countries and people.”
OpenAI's own AI-powered deep research tool describes this statement as "equivocal, using deflective and softening language that somewhat contradicts the more assertive position in the original submission."
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Comments (53)
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![DanielWalker]()
C'est vraiment ironique de voir des géants technologiques occidentaux utiliser des critères politiques pour restreindre le développement d'IA dans d'autres pays, ça ressemble un peu à imposer ses propres normes au reste du monde.
![KennethRoberts]()
Das ist echt krass, wie schnell sich der KI-Wettbewerb in einen geopolitischen Machtkampf verwandelt. OpenAI wirft DeepSeek 'staatliche Kontrolle' vor, aber ist das nicht auch ein bisschen heuchlerisch? Die großen Tech-Firmen in den USA bekommen doch auch indirekte Unterstützung, oder? 🧐 Am Ende leiden nur die Nutzer, wenn Innovation durch Politik blockiert wird. Hoffentlich setzt sich Vernunft durch und nicht nur Protektionismus.
![ThomasRoberts]()
這標題也太針對性了吧🫤OpenAI自己拿微軟投資的時候怎麼不說？AI競爭現在變成政治工具了嗎？技術本身應該無國界，結果還是被地緣政治綁架了
![JuanWhite]()
This is wild! OpenAI calling out DeepSeek as 'state-controlled' feels like a sci-fi plot twist. Is this about tech rivalry or real security concerns? 🤔 Curious to see how this plays out in the AI world.
![SamuelEvans]()
This article is wild! Calling DeepSeek 'state-controlled' feels like a stretch—where’s the proof? I get the security concerns, but banning AI models outright seems like overkill. What’s next, a global AI turf war? 🤔
![ScottJackson]()
OpenAI's move to label DeepSeek as 'state-controlled' feels like a strategic jab in the AI race. It's intriguing but smells like geopolitics sneaking into tech. 🤔 Curious how this impacts global AI innovation.
In a recent policy proposal, OpenAI has labeled the Chinese AI lab DeepSeek as "state-subsidized" and "state-controlled," suggesting that the U.S. government should contemplate banning models developed by DeepSeek and similar operations supported by the People's Republic of China (PRC).
This proposal, submitted as part of the Trump administration's "AI Action Plan" initiative, argues that DeepSeek's models, such as its R1 "reasoning" model, pose security risks due to Chinese legal requirements that mandate compliance with government requests for user data. OpenAI recommends banning "PRC-produced" models in countries classified as "Tier 1" under the Biden administration's export rules to mitigate privacy and security concerns, including the risk of intellectual property theft.
It's not clear whether OpenAI's use of "models" includes DeepSeek's API, its open models, or both. Interestingly, DeepSeek's open models don't have built-in mechanisms for the Chinese government to access user data; instead, they are hosted by companies like Microsoft, Perplexity, and Amazon.
OpenAI has previously accused DeepSeek, which gained recognition earlier this year, of extracting knowledge from OpenAI's models in violation of its terms of service. The new claims—that DeepSeek is backed and controlled by the PRC—mark a significant escalation in OpenAI's ongoing dispute with the Chinese lab.
There's no direct evidence linking DeepSeek, a spin-off from the quantitative hedge fund High-Flyer, to the Chinese government. However, the PRC has shown a growing interest in DeepSeek recently, highlighted by a meeting between DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng and Chinese leader Xi Jinping a few weeks ago.
Updated 3/15 8:38 p.m. Pacific: Days after this story hit the news, OpenAI spokesperson Liz Bourgeois provided the following clarification:
“We're not pushing for restrictions on individuals using models like DeepSeek. Our proposal focuses on modifying U.S. export rules to enable more countries to access U.S. computing resources, provided their datacenters don't use PRC technology that could pose security risks. This isn't about limiting chip access based on fears they'll be redirected to the PRC. Our aim is to increase compute and AI access for more countries and people.”
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C'est vraiment ironique de voir des géants technologiques occidentaux utiliser des critères politiques pour restreindre le développement d'IA dans d'autres pays, ça ressemble un peu à imposer ses propres normes au reste du monde.
Das ist echt krass, wie schnell sich der KI-Wettbewerb in einen geopolitischen Machtkampf verwandelt. OpenAI wirft DeepSeek 'staatliche Kontrolle' vor, aber ist das nicht auch ein bisschen heuchlerisch? Die großen Tech-Firmen in den USA bekommen doch auch indirekte Unterstützung, oder? 🧐 Am Ende leiden nur die Nutzer, wenn Innovation durch Politik blockiert wird. Hoffentlich setzt sich Vernunft durch und nicht nur Protektionismus.
這標題也太針對性了吧🫤OpenAI自己拿微軟投資的時候怎麼不說？AI競爭現在變成政治工具了嗎？技術本身應該無國界，結果還是被地緣政治綁架了
This is wild! OpenAI calling out DeepSeek as 'state-controlled' feels like a sci-fi plot twist. Is this about tech rivalry or real security concerns? 🤔 Curious to see how this plays out in the AI world.
This article is wild! Calling DeepSeek 'state-controlled' feels like a stretch—where’s the proof? I get the security concerns, but banning AI models outright seems like overkill. What’s next, a global AI turf war? 🤔
OpenAI's move to label DeepSeek as 'state-controlled' feels like a strategic jab in the AI race. It's intriguing but smells like geopolitics sneaking into tech. 🤔 Curious how this impacts global AI innovation.
