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DeepSeek is the trendy AI, and, to no one’s surprise, it sends all the information it collects from users to China. We tell you what data it obtains and for how long it stores it.
DeepSeek has burst onto the scene of artificial intelligence with a vengeance, thanks to its free and open-source models. However, at this time there has begun to be a lot of talk about the large amount of information collected by its applications and, especially, about the destination where they are stored.
As the vast majority know, thanks to the endless reports that have been published these days, DeepSeek is a Chinese company that belongs to High-Flyer, another firm from the Asian giant that is also in charge of providing financing. As such, it’s not too surprising that all AI user data is sent to servers located in China.
In fact, DeepSeek is quite open about this matter. Its privacy policy, which was last updated on December 5, 2024, explicitly informs the destination of the information that reaches the developers.
“The personal information we collect from you may be stored on a server located outside the country in which you live. We store the information we collect on secure servers located in the People’s Republic of China,” the document in question states. Likewise, DeepSeek indicates that when transferring personal data outside the countries of residence of its users, it does so “in accordance with the requirements of applicable data protection laws.”.
![How DeepSeek Collects Your Information: A Simple Breakdown 13 DeepSeek](https://technoluting.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/deepseek-5-1024x666.png)
All the data that DeepSeek collects through its apps
As we previously indicated, that DeepSeek sends information to China is not too surprising. After all, it is still an incipient startup whose headquarters are located in that country and which, at least for now, does not have offices or subsidiaries in other parts of the world.
Still, the issue is causing quite a bit of debate in countries like the United States and Australia. The possibility that DeepSeek is collecting more personal information than platforms like TikTok and openly sending it to China has begun to generate discussions about the scope and enforcement of data protection laws. Also, about the possible need for greater scrutiny to determine if what is stored can fall into the hands of the Chinese government for intelligence work.
Be that as it may, DeepSeek discloses in its privacy policy the wide range of personal data it collects. These fall into three categories:
- Those provided by users,
- Those that are collected automatically
- Those obtained through other sources.
In the first group is the information that people enter into the registration form to use Chinese AI. For example: email address or phone number, username, and date of birth. All the content of the conversations held with the DeepSeek chatbot is also included here. This includes text prompts, as well as audios, images, documents, and conversation history. But this is not all, as the company also collects the data that is shared when contacting her, including “proof of identity or age.”.
As for the information that is collected automatically, the use of cookies is mentioned to know how their tools are used. In addition to this, there is a compilation of the DeepSeek features used by users and the actions they take with them and the associated payment methods. Although what is most striking is that it not only obtains technical data from the computers on which its apps run—model, operating system, language, IP address—but also the “patterns and rhythms of keystrokes” when typing.
Information from other sources pertains to the use of third-party services, such as Apple or Google, to register or log in. The same applies to data it obtains from advertising platforms and online statistics.
![How DeepSeek Collects Your Information: A Simple Breakdown 14 DeepSeek](https://technoluting.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/5WN3T2OXP5ORTFUBFAJEDOBDVE-1024x683.jpg)
What All This Information Is Used For
DeepSeek maintains that all the data it collects is to maintain and optimize the operation of its tools and their security. Also, to notify users when changes occur and to enforce their terms and conditions of use, among other reasons.
Likewise, the company informs that everything it collects can be shared with third parties, including the members of its “business group.”. However, it does not specify which entities are part of it.
DeepSeek officials also warn that they do not “actively collect” the personal information of users under the age of 18. And they clarify that some data can be deleted from the settings of their apps, such as chat history, or by blocking cookies on web browsers or devices.
On how long the company stores all the information, a specific period is not indicated. DeepSeek mentions that it maintains it “for as long as necessary” to provide its services or fulfill certain obligations. In addition, they mention that if a user violates the terms and their account is deleted, their data will still be saved to process that violation.
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