Security vulnerabilities and privacy issues affect the DeepSeek iOS application.

      Reuters

      DeepSeek is among the largest applications in the App Store, but it appears to be plagued by numerous security vulnerabilities. NowSecure has reported that this AI chatbot, based in China, has serious data security and storage issues. Launched to much fanfare last month, the app allegedly transmits sensitive information over the internet without encryption, exposing it to interception and alteration.

      DeepSeek relies on an outdated encryption technique known as Triple DES, which is comparable to using an old, rusty lock on your door. Furthermore, it reuses identical “keys” for encryption, similar to using the same password across all your accounts—if one is compromised, all your data can be accessed. Additionally, the encryption keys are directly embedded within the app, making them easy targets for cybercriminals, like hiding a house key under the doormat—far from secure.

      NowSecure has identified that DeepSeek's data storage lacks security, meaning usernames, passwords, and encryption keys are stored without adequate protection. The app also gathers user and device data, which could be used for tracking and de-anonymization purposes.

      Moreover, it has been revealed that user data from DeepSeek is sent to servers owned by ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. It's crucial to note that TikTok is currently experiencing significant issues in the U.S., where a law mandates that the app be sold to a domestic buyer.

      NowSecure, a specialist in mobile app security, has clearly advised uninstalling the DeepSeek iOS app in both managed and BYOD environments. They also recommend looking for an alternative AI chatbot that emphasizes mobile app security and data protection.

      This isn’t the first instance of concern regarding DeepSeek. Microsoft, a leading investor in rival OpenAI, is investigating whether DeepSeek has improperly used techniques to train its reasoning models, which could be deemed as intellectual property theft from the U.S. Additionally, there are concerns about DeepSeek potentially engaging in censorship.

      Should you remove DeepSeek from your device? With the numerous controversies surrounding the app, this might be the most prudent action. There are plenty of other AI chatbots available, including the newest option, Le Chat.

      Bryan M. Wolfe has over ten years of experience as a technology writer, focusing on mobile topics.

      iOS 17.3 will provide your iPhone with a much-needed security enhancement.

      Apple has commenced testing a new feature that will offer an extra level of protection for your iPhone, deterring thieves from stealing your device. This feature, called Stolen Device Protection, is currently being rolled out in the developer build of iOS 17.3 for users, just a day after the public release of iOS 17.2.

      “This new feature adds an additional layer of security in the unlikely scenario that someone has stolen your phone and has also acquired your passcode,” states Apple. Once activated, this feature establishes three additional security barriers on your iPhone.

      Apple’s iOS 17 update may not introduce as many features as earlier releases, but it remains a significant update worthy of attention. My favorite new features are the interactive widgets and StandBy apps. Unfortunately, neither Apple nor others have provided the latter feature with enough focus, which is regrettable.

      While some view StandBy merely as a means to turn their iPhone into a digital clock, it offers much more. With StandBy, users can swiftly access critical information at a glance. Initially, Apple showcases data from the native Calendar, Clock, and Reminders apps, but support for third-party apps is also available if developers opt to implement it.

      Apple is introducing a completely new app on the iPhone with iOS 17.

      Apple has announced the addition of a new first-party application called Journal with the launch of iOS 17 during WWDC 2023. True to its name, Journal will provide iPhone users with a space to document their daily activities, track their emotional health, and note anything else they wish to write about.

      Apple continues to expand its first-party health and wellness apps with products like Fitness, Sleep, and Breathe, and now Journal will join these, marking the company's first effort in an app focused on mental wellness.