In a recent development, the Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek has temporarily suspended API (Application Programming Interface) service recharging due to tight server resources.
On February 6th, several Chinese media outlets reported that DeepSeek had suspended API service recharging, with the button displaying a greyed-out unavailable state.
On the same evening, a statement on DeepSeek’s official website explained, “Due to current tight server resources and to avoid any impact on your business, we have temporarily suspended API service recharging. Existing recharged amounts can still be utilized. We appreciate your understanding!”
This announcement quickly caught the attention of internet users.
Some expressed frustrations such as, “Recently, there have been instances of servers being busy,” “Always saying servers are busy,” “It’s impossible to use, server constantly busy,” “Always encountering bugs,” “Seems like a lack of computing power,” “DeepSeek has paused API service recharging, insufficient computing power!”
“Server resources are tight, need to buy chips,” “Looks like we need NVIDIA, or infrastructure for computing power, tight server resources say it all.”
“DeepSeek overtakes on the curve, through algorithm optimization, easing the demand for computing power. But currently, the servers are constantly paralyzed, indicating that the computing power is falling behind. Ultimately, on a global scale, computing power is the foundation, and algorithms are optimization. Next, chip concept stocks are likely to rise again.”
Furthermore, DeepSeek has been found to have connections with China Mobile.
Researchers from the Canadian network security company Feroot Security discovered that DeepSeek’s website code might automatically send login information for some users to China Mobile. China Mobile, a state-owned telecommunications company in China, is prohibited from operating in the United States due to its close ties with the military.
Feroot Security shared the analysis results with the Associated Press.
Subsequently, the Associated Press invited two academic network security experts – Joel Reardon from the University of Calgary and Serge Egelman from the University of California, Berkeley – to independently analyze the code. They confirmed the relationship between DeepSeek’s login system and China Mobile.
Currently, the international community is growing increasingly concerned about DeepSeek’s excessive collection of user data and national security risks. Some countries’ government departments have begun taking restrictive measures, leading to the banning of DeepSeek.
Countries that have banned the use of DeepSeek include the United States, Italy, Australia, India, South Korea, Belgium, France, and Ireland. Taiwan has also restricted government agencies and key infrastructure suppliers from using DeepSeek due to concerns about cross-border data transmission and information leakage.