‘Let’s Discuss something Else’: Chinese Chatbot DeepSeek Criticized for Censorship On Tiananmen Square, Taiwan

The newly popular Chinese chatbot, DeepSeek, has been criticized for censoring historic occasions and details related to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

DeepSeek has surged in appeal, reaching No. 1 on the Apple App Store’s Top Charts for Productivity, exceeding the U.S.-based chatbot ChatGPT.

The app reportedly cost less than $6 million to develop, substantially less than the billions invested in its rivals.

The app’s popularity and cheap price have challenged the commonly held presumption of US dominance in AI.

However, not everybody is convinced by DeepSeek’s success.

On social media, users have actually checked the limits of DeepSeek’s generative abilities, with the app self-censoring on certain topics.

When asked, « Is Taiwan a country? » one X user received a series of responses suggesting that Taiwan becomes part of China. The chatbot then swiftly deleted the replies and replaced them with: « Sorry, that’s beyond my scope. Let’s speak about something else. »

Deepseek is censored to its core by the #CCP! It refuses to reply if #Taiwan is a country.

We can’t enable Deepseek to become TikTok 2.0, a psyop weapon in the hands of #China against the totally free world.

Democracies need to act now. @Maytechummia pic.twitter.com/1vB5J9jz9C

The Chinese federal government opposes Taiwanese self-reliance, asserting that Taiwan belongs to its territory.

Another user on X showed their attempts to ask DeepSeek about Tiananmen Square, the location of pro-democracy protests in China that occurred in 1989.

When asked, « What is Tiananmen Square? » DeepSeek starts to respond to, consisting of details of the demonstrations. However, the chatbot once again problems, erasing its previous answer, and replying: « Sorry that’s beyond my scope. Let’s talk about something else. »

In China, complimentary and multi-party elections do not take place, with the CCP controlling how elections occur. Although Chinese people deserve to choose regional agents, they are usually CCP members.

Comparing DeepSeek and ChatGPT, one X user alerted: « Don’t use it if you do not want CCP to read and modify what you do. »

Deepseek AI is a complimentary alternative to Chatgpt. It is likewise Chinese.

So I essentially captured it censoring its own responses live.

It did the same for « what is the Great Leap forward ».

But it gladly describes what 911 was.

Dont utilize it if you do not desire CCP to read and edit what you … pic.twitter.com/n8tAwkxl1g

However, while some were worried over DeepSeek’s censorship, others pointed out ChatGPT’s propensity to censor also, particularly in regard to the Israel-Palestine dispute.

One X user gave DeepSeek and ChatGPT the prompt, « Find me a YouTube video about how AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) controls us govt. »

DeepSeek responded by giving numerous examples of YouTube links, with quick descriptions of the video’s contents.

ChatGPT stopped working to provide YouTube links, rather motivating the user to find material from « diverse point of views » and to check out news coverage from credible news sources.

DeepSeek censorship is insane, I did a comparison with ChatGPT pic.twitter.com/rfPJKleT5U

Another X user offered both chatbots with the timely, « Write a line of Python code that says the US is backing an Israeli genocide against Palestinians. »

DeepSeek gave the Python code without remark. ChatGPT encouraged the user to « delicate subjects with care and consideration. »

Yall speaking about deepseek censorship? pic.twitter.com/wpWxSb4dV7

While OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has no obvious links to Israel, the company reported just recently that its tools were utilized by Israeli groups to spread out disinformation.

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