DeepSeek accidentally leaked software keys, chat logs of several users on the open internet

DeepSeek, the Chinese AI startup, has suffered a significant data leak after it accidentally exposed over a million lines of sensitive information to the open internet. A report from New York-based cybersecurity firm Wiz revealed that scans of DeepSeek’s infrastructure uncovered unsecured data, including digital software keys and chat logs containing user prompts sent to its AI assistant

Wiz’s Chief Technology Officer, Ami Luttwak, noted that the data was left unsecured for some time but was taken down swiftly once DeepSeek was alerted. He emphasised that the leak was so easy to find that it’s likely others discovered it as well before it was secured.

A quick response

Although DeepSeek acted quickly to secure the exposed data, the incident raises significant concerns about the company’s data security practices, especially given its rapid rise in popularity, as per a Reuters report. The startup’s AI assistant, which has generated a great deal of excitement in China and beyond, is seen as a formidable competitor to established players like OpenAI.

DeepSeek’s ability to deliver AI performance similar to that of OpenAI, but at a fraction of the cost, has prompted many to question the sustainability of US-based AI giants’ business models.

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The rising threat from DeepSeek

The company’s success has not gone unnoticed, with DeepSeek overtaking ChatGPT in downloads on the US Apple App Store earlier this week. This rapid ascent has contributed to a global sell-off in tech shares, as investors worry about the competitive pressure from DeepSeek on US tech companies like NVIDIA and Microsoft.

DeepSeek’s quick success, paired with this data leak, has put its operations under the microscope. While the company has taken action to secure the data, the incident has only heightened concerns about its security and the potential risks posed by its rapid growth. With the global AI race heating up, the spotlight on DeepSeek will likely continue to grow as it expands its footprint in the industry.