DeepSeek accused of denying claims of Uyghur genocide
Occurred: February 2025
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Chinese AI app DeepSeek has been accused of denying claims of Uyghur genocide, raising concerns about the censorship of human rights issues.
What happened
When asked about the Uyghur genocide, DeepSeek asserted that the claim was a "severe slander of China's domestic affairs" and "completely unfounded".
The AI chatbot, which has been downloaded over three million times worldwide, responded by stating, "We firmly oppose any country, organisation, or individual using so-called human rights issues to interfere in China's internal affairs".
Uyghur activists and experts expressed deep worry about DeepSeek's responses:
Rahima Mahmut, who fled China in 2000, stated that "The Chinese government is trying to erase the Uyghur people by employing AI to mislead the public".
Zumretary Arkin, who has not heard from her family since 2017, called DeepSeek's rewriting of her homeland's history "deeply worrying".
Dr. William Matthews, a researcher on China's technological rise, warned that DeepSeek's censorship should be "extremely concerning" as it becomes a popular platform for information.
Why it happened
DeepSeek's denial of the Uyghur genocide aligns with the Chinese government's official stance, which rejects these allegations and claims that its policies in Xinjiang are necessary to prevent terrorism and promote development.
What it means
The accusations against DeepSeek for denying the Uyghur genocide have potentially significant implications, including:
Censorship and propaganda. DeepSeek's alignment with the Chinese government's stance raises concerns about AI being used as a tool for state-sponsored censorship and propaganda.
Misinformation and historical erasure. DeepSeek's responses could contribute to the spread of misinformation about the Uyghur situation, potentially erasing the historical record of human rights abuses.
Human rights impact. The use of AI for content moderation and information control poses risks to freedom of expression and access to information.
Geopolitical tensions. The controversy surrounding DeepSeek may exacerbate existing tensions between China and Western countries regarding human rights and technological influence.
System 🤖
Operator:
Developer: DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co
Country: China
Sector: Politics
Purpose: Generate text
Technology: Generative AI; Machine learning
Issue: Human/civil rights; Transparency
Page info
Type: Issue
Published: February 2025