China Confiscates DeepSeek AI Staff Passports Amid Tech Concerns

Government Tightens Grip on AI Talent Mobility / Reuters DeepSeek Elevated as a Strategic National Asset Overseas media outlets including TechCrunch and The Information report that the Chinese government has enacted strict measures against DeepSeek, a leading generative artificial intelligence firm, by seizing employee passports to curb potential leaks of critical technological secrets. High-Flyer, the hedge fund parent company of DeepSeek, has enforced this policy primarily on research and development staff, prohibiting them from exiting China without explicit permission. This follows the company's global recognition after unveiling its cost-effective R1 inference model in January 2025, a milestone that spotlighted China's aspirations in the intensifying global artificial intelligence competition with the United States. The passport confiscation highlights Beijing's escalating efforts to protect sensitive AI innovations, reflecting fears of intellectual property loss at a...