Case openai-deepseek-distillationModel & data leakChina
OpenAI says it has evidence DeepSeek distilled its models through blocked API accounts
OpenAI told the Financial Times it found signs DeepSeek used its outputs to train a rival in breach of its terms; Microsoft reportedly saw accounts pulling large data volumes via the API and blocked them. No proof shown.
MediumAttack on AIStatus: UnresolvedVerified case file
Open in the interactive mapCite this case
- Reported
- Jan 29, 2025
- Location
- China
- Target
- OpenAI models (via API)
- Severity
- Medium
- Triggered by
- DeepSeek (alleged)
- Actor type
- Unknown
- Reported loss
- None reported
- CVE
- None
What happened
OpenAI told the Financial Times it found signs DeepSeek used its outputs to train a rival in breach of its terms; Microsoft reportedly saw accounts pulling large data volumes via the API and blocked them. No proof shown.
Impact: Unknown; dispute over intellectual property and terms of service
Who triggered it
Actor: DeepSeek (alleged)
Attribution: Alleged by OpenAI and reported via anonymous Microsoft sources; DeepSeek did not respond; evidence not published
Motive: Alleged low-cost model training via distillation
How it happened
Attack vector: High-volume API queries from accounts later attributed to DeepSeek
Root cause: Model outputs available via API can be used as training data in breach of terms of service
Timeline
- Microsoft security reportedly notices unusual API extraction
- OpenAI tells the FT it has evidence of distillation
- White House adviser David Sacks says there is substantial evidence
Response
OpenAI and Microsoft blocked suspected accounts; OpenAI said it was working with the US government
Current status: Unresolved
Sources (open in a new tab)
- eWeek eweek.com
- Computing computing.co.uk
- The Decoder the-decoder.com
Cite this case
OpenAI says it has evidence DeepSeek distilled its models through blocked API accounts. AI Threat Watch, case openai-deepseek-distillation, Jan 29, 2025. https://aithreat.io/cases/openai-deepseek-distillation/
Permanent link: https://aithreat.io/cases/openai-deepseek-distillation/