DeepSeek logo. Chart-topping AI iPhone app DeepSeek has been found to be sending data to Chinese-owned services, as well as collecting extensive user data that is held and sent unencrypted. DeepSeek is a generative AI app, similar to ChatGPT, which launched in January 2025 and practically immediately went to the top of the US App Store charts. That was despite the DeepSeek Chinese AI startup company being found to have a major security lapse.
"[DeepSeek is] not equipped or willing to provide basic security protections of your data and identity," said Andrew Hoog, co-founder of security firm NowSecure told Ars Techica in a statement. "There are fundamental security practices that are not being observed, either intentionally or unintentionally. In the end, it puts your and your company's data and identity at risk.". Chicago-based NowSecure mobile security firm says that DeepSeek's iOS app has multiple security and privacy issues. Specifically:.
NowSecure also says that while DeepSeek does use encryption, it is using 3DES encryption. This is a symmetric encryption scheme that was deprecated in 2016 after research showed that it could be broken. Plus as implemented, the 3DES encryption uses symmetric keys and DeepSeek has hard-coded these into the app. It means that every user is using the same encryption keys. The app also disables Apple's App Transport Security protocol, that would enforce encryption of data. DeepSeek has not said why it's disabled this, nor has Apple commented on why companies can choose not to use it.
Then data is decrypted when it's stored on ByteDance's servers. Once there, it can be used to identify specific users and potentially track queries. As well as violating security best practices, this decryption is significant because while the servers are controlled by ByteDance, the company is bound by Chinese laws regarding government access. This is the same issue that has led to the US requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok.
NowSecure says it is continuing to research DeepSeek. It notes that the Android version is even less secure than the iOS one. William Gallagher has 30 years of experience between the BBC and AppleInsider discussing Apple technology. Outside of AppleInsider, he's best known for writing Doctor Who radio dramas for BBC/Big Finish, and is the De... The fourth-generation iPhone SE is set to bring about a multitude of visual and functional changes taken from earlier iPhone models. Here's what to expect from Apple, as soon as next week.
It now seems likely that Apple is gearing up to roll out its next beta, this time designed to offer significant improvements for its voice assistant. Given the market and a decade of patents, it's no surprise that Apple is experimenting with foldable displays that would be used in a future iPhone Fold, iPad, or Mac. Here's what the rumor mill says is coming. A former engineer who was sued by Apple for leaking details about Apple Vision Pro, the Journal app, and more may have been forced to issue a public apology after the case was dismissed.
Amazon has shaved $100 off Apple's iPad Air 6 with the M2 chip thanks to an instant discount stacked with an on-page coupon. If you want to play games on your iPhone or iPad, you're going to need a game controller, and the same is obvious for the Mac. GameSir's Cyclone 2 might be my favorite, thanks to a familiar feel and some notable features. Sonos allegedly toyed around with making a speaker that would use MagSafe to attach to the back of an iPhone, but couldn't seem to nail down a target audience.
.png?auto=webp&width=800)
