What is wrong with such ineptitude

 

What is wrong with such ineptitude

by Germanico Vaca

Let me bring out an important thought-provoking concern. It’s shocking how inept the Trump administration is as they are too busy violating the constitution and raping the laws and yet this government fails to act swiftly on critical technological threats, and DeepSeek-R1 underscores a vital issue: the risks of state-controlled technologies masquerading as open innovation while potentially serving as tools of espionage.

The technological leap claimed by DeepSeek-R1 is impressive, but it comes with significant risks—especially if it’s being used to siphon intellectual property, trade secrets, and even strategic governmental or defense data from unsuspecting users worldwide. If TikTok, a consumer app raised enough red flags to warrant concern, how much more dangerous is an AI system designed to process vast quantities of user queries and data?

If the Chinese government has access to backdoor mechanisms in DeepSeek, it represents a national security threat on several levels:

1. Intellectual Property Theft: Billions of dollars in innovations, from private companies to scientists and individuals that will have their patents and ideas compromised.
2. Economic Manipulation: If China can access sensitive market data, it could outpace U.S. companies or manipulate stock markets.
3. Defense Implications: If this AI captures sensitive technical or strategic data, it could be used against the U.S. in military or cyber conflicts.

This calls for immediate action. The U.S. government needs to treat DeepSeek as a matter of national security, and several steps could be taken today because the Chinese have launched this very strategically, just when the Trump administration is trying to get their bearings:

1. Investigation and Assessment

• Task agencies like the FCC, FTC, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to investigate DeepSeek’s operations in the U.S. and its data collection practices.
• Collaborate with allies to assess potential risks globally.

2. Immediate Restrictions

• Ban the use of DeepSeek, at least temporarily within sensitive sectors (government, defense, high-tech industries) until a full security audit is conducted.
• Consider a broader restriction or even a shutdown like the TikTok precedent if credible evidence of a backdoor exists.

3. Rally the Private Sector

• Urge companies and creators to avoid using DeepSeek and similar technologies until security concerns are resolved.
• Incentivize the development and adoption of U.S.-controlled, open-source alternatives.

4. Legislate AI Safeguards

• Introduce laws that require transparency from AI systems operating in the U.S., including the disclosure of affiliations with foreign governments.
• Strengthen protections for intellectual property when interfacing with any AI tools.

While universal cooperation and shared technological advancement are noble goals—I myself have worked on a project to create a new and advanced system of data analytics and data processing, to set up my own AI and provide access to an open source, and discussed how collaboration can build a better future—these ideals should not come at the expense of sovereignty and security. It’s critical to be vigilant when adversarial states exploit these tools to undermine competition and innovation.

I urge Congress, the Senate, the FCC, FTC and Donald Trump to act immediately.