Last month, DeepSeek became one of the top AI app on the U.S. Apple App Store and disrupted the tech industry by claiming its model costs far less to develop than competitors. The announcement led to a drop in U.S. tech stock prices.

Now, security concerns are mounting, and multiple countries have banned the app. DeepSeek could soon join the growing list of Chinese apps facing potential U.S. restrictions.

Here is what you need to know.

What is DeepSeek AI? Is it a Chinese company?

DeepSeek AI is a Chinese-owned AI application that has become the number one app on the Apple Store, surpassing ChatGPT in just a week. DeepSeek AI was created a year ago; however, the new R1 model, similar to OpenAI’s o1, was released on the app Jan. 20,

This rapid rise has turned heads, especially considering the growing competition in the AI space, according to a Yahoo Finance report. The R1 model represents a major leap for DeepSeek AI, positioning it to compete directly with the world’s most advanced AI applications

Which countries have banned DeepSeek?

This week, government agencies in countries such as South Korea and Australia have restricted access to DeepSeek's AI chatbot, a product of the Chinese AI startup, primarily for government employees, according to Al Jazeera.

Will DeepSeek be banned in the US?

Rep. Josh Gottheimer introduced the "No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act", which would require the Office of Management and Budget to remove DeepSeek from federal technology within 60 days, with exceptions for law enforcement and national security, according to a press release.

Why does the U.S. want to ban DeepSeek?

Concerns over national security have increased after cybersecurity expert Ivan Tsarynny revealed hidden code in the app that could transmit data to servers controlled by the Chinese government, ABC News reported.

Which apps could potentially be banned in the U.S.?

Several apps could soon face bans or restrictions in the U.S. due to national security concerns, particularly those linked to Chinese companies, according to USA Today.

• TikTok – A social media platform for short-form videos.

• CapCut – A video editing app.

• Lemon8 – A photo and lifestyle-sharing app.

• Marvel Snap – A digital card game.

• DeepSeek – An AI chatbot.

https://www.amazon.com/Africircle-AfriPrime/dp/B0D2M3F2JT