Researchers have discovered concerning links between China’s Deepseek AI chatbot and state-owned China Telecom, raising security and surveillance concerns. The investigation revealed that Deepseek’s servers are hosted on China Telecom’s infrastructure, suggesting potential state oversight and control. This connection is particularly noteworthy as China Telecom has previously been identified as a security risk by U.S. authorities. The findings, documented by security researchers, indicate that Deepseek’s infrastructure is deeply integrated with China’s state telecommunications network, potentially allowing government access to user data and interactions. The chatbot, which competes with other AI models like ChatGPT, has gained attention for its advanced capabilities but now faces scrutiny over its independence and data privacy practices. The researchers emphasize that this connection could enable surveillance and data collection by Chinese authorities, as state-owned telecoms are legally required to share data with the government. This discovery adds to broader concerns about Chinese AI companies’ relationships with state entities and the implications for international users. The report also highlights how this arrangement differs from Western AI companies, which typically maintain more independence from government infrastructure. These findings contribute to ongoing discussions about AI sovereignty, data privacy, and the role of state actors in artificial intelligence development, particularly in the context of China’s growing AI capabilities and its regulatory framework.