By Mohammed Bello Doka
In a world where information is power, governments across the globe—whether democratic or authoritarian—are increasingly flexing their muscles to control digital platforms. The recent rise of DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence company challenging Western AI dominance, has reignited debates about technological innovation, national security, and digital censorship. But while China is often accused of suppressing free speech and manipulating technology, recent events surrounding TikTok in the U.S. and Telegram in France prove that the West is also deeply involved in digital control and censorship.
The battle over digital platforms is no longer a China-only issue; it is a global power struggle where every major nation is fighting to dictate how technology operates and what information people can access.
DeepSeek: China’s Big AI Leap and the West’s Growing Anxiety
DeepSeek made headlines recently with the launch of its AI model, R1, which rivals OpenAI’s ChatGPT but at a fraction of the cost. Unlike previous Chinese AI models that lagged behind Western technology, DeepSeek has managed to develop a highly advanced AI system with significantly lower computational and financial requirements. This breakthrough has not only positioned China as a serious AI competitor but has also sent shockwaves through global financial markets.
The impact was immediate: U.S. tech stocks suffered a $1 trillion loss in a single day, with Nvidia, a key player in AI chip manufacturing, experiencing a record $600 billion drop in market value. Investors panicked, realizing that the assumption that only U.S. firms could dominate AI was no longer valid. DeepSeek’s efficiency has proven that high-end AI development does not require excessive funding or expensive infrastructure, forcing the West to reassess its approach to AI competition.
However, DeepSeek’s rise has also raised concerns about China’s influence over artificial intelligence. Critics argue that the Chinese government could use DeepSeek’s technology for surveillance, censorship, and propaganda. The AI model reportedly includes built-in censorship mechanisms to suppress politically sensitive topics, aligning with Beijing’s strict control over digital platforms. This revelation has fueled fears that China is not just innovating but also setting new standards for AI-driven information control.
But while the West condemns China’s digital restrictions, its own actions suggest that censorship and government interference are not unique to Beijing. The crackdown on TikTok in the U.S. and Telegram in France reveals a growing pattern of digital suppression across so-called free societies.
The U.S. vs. TikTok: National Security or Digital Protectionism?
TikTok, the social media giant owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has been under intense scrutiny in the United States for years. Lawmakers argue that the app poses a national security threat, accusing ByteDance of being a proxy for the Chinese Communist Party. The U.S. government fears that TikTok could be used to collect data on American users or spread Chinese propaganda, though no concrete evidence has been presented to support these claims.
The pressure on TikTok has reached new heights, with attempts to ban the app or force its sale to an American company. The move, critics argue, has less to do with security and more to do with digital protectionism. While American social media giants like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter also collect vast amounts of user data, they have not faced the same level of government scrutiny. The aggressive stance against TikTok suggests that the U.S. is not just concerned about privacy but is also trying to cripple a Chinese tech giant that has outcompeted its American rivals.
The irony is striking: while Washington criticizes Beijing for restricting foreign tech companies like Google and Facebook, it is now adopting similar tactics to limit TikTok’s influence. This hypocrisy raises a fundamental question—does the U.S. truly stand for digital freedom, or does it only support open competition when American companies are winning?
France vs. Telegram: A European Crackdown on Free Speech
While the U.S. fights TikTok in the name of national security, Europe has launched its own battle against Telegram, the popular encrypted messaging app. In France, authorities are considering banning Telegram due to its use by certain protest groups and individuals involved in illicit activities. Officials claim that Telegram’s encryption makes it difficult to track criminals and extremists, but the move has been widely criticized as an attack on free speech.
Telegram, unlike platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, does not store messages on centralized servers and allows users to communicate privately. This has made it a popular tool for activists, journalists, and dissidents worldwide. However, governments—whether in France, Russia, or Iran—have repeatedly tried to shut it down under various pretexts.
France’s crackdown on Telegram exposes a broader trend in Europe, where governments are using regulatory measures to control digital platforms. The European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), for example, forces tech companies to remove “illegal content” within hours or face heavy fines. While framed as a way to combat misinformation and hate speech, critics warn that such laws give governments the power to silence dissent under the pretext of moderation.
A Global Digital War: Who Really Supports Free Speech?
The cases of DeepSeek, TikTok, and Telegram highlight a fundamental truth: censorship and digital control are not exclusive to authoritarian regimes. While China openly restricts digital freedoms through its Great Firewall and AI censorship, the U.S. and Europe are engaging in more subtle but equally effective forms of digital suppression.
The West often portrays itself as the defender of free speech and innovation, yet it selectively applies these principles when its own interests are threatened. Whether it’s the U.S. targeting TikTok to weaken Chinese tech influence, or France suppressing Telegram to limit anonymous communication, these actions prove that every government—democratic or authoritarian—seeks to control the digital world in its own way.
In this unfolding digital war, the question is not whether China censors the internet—it does. The real question is whether the U.S. and Europe are any different, or if they are simply better at disguising their own version of digital authoritarianism.
With DeepSeek’s rise, the race for AI supremacy has taken a new turn. The West can no longer assume it will lead the future of artificial intelligence, and as censorship becomes a universal tool of governance, the illusion of digital freedom continues to erode. In the end, whether in Beijing, Washington, or Paris, the battle for control over technology is the same—only the justifications change.
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