Microsoft probes if DeepSeek-linked group got OpenAI data: report

STORY: Microsoft and OpenAI are probing if data from the ChatGPT maker was obtained in an unauthorized manner by a group linked to Chinese AI startup DeepSeek.

That’s according to a Bloomberg report published Tuesday (Jan. 28).

The report says that Microsoft security researchers observed several months ago that individuals they believed to be connected to DeepSeek exfiltrated a large amount of data using OpenAI’s application programming interface.

The API is the main way that software developers and business customers buy services from OpenAI, which counts Microsoft as its largest investor.

Bloomberg reported that the Windows maker notified the company of suspicious activity.

Low-cost Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, an alternative to U.S. rivals, sparked a major tech stock selloff earlier this week.

Its free AI assistant overtook OpenAI’s ChatGPT on Apple’s App Store in the U.S.

David Sacks, the White House’s AI and crypto czar, told Fox News on Tuesday that it was “possible” that DeepSeek stole intellectual property from the US.

Asked for comment on the Bloomberg report, an OpenAI spokesperson echoed Sacks’ comments, without actually naming the Chinese firm.

Microsoft declined to comment, while DeepSeek could not be immediately reached for a comment.