What is the relationship between 360 and DeepSeek? Is it involved in protecting DeepSeek

I. Core orientation of the relationship between the parties

According to public information, 360 and DeepSeekNo direct equity relationship or traditional business collaborationBut the existence ofTechnical synergies and strategic supportof indirect associations. For example, the 360 Nano AI Search APP integration includes DeepSeek-R1 Including 16 domestic large models, users can freely switch to use. This technical level of integration provides DeepSeek with an entry point to practical application scenarios.

Second, 360's three major impacts on DeepSeek

1. Security Escort: Critical Support in the Event of a Cyber Attack
   In January 2025, DeepSeek suffered a large-scale overseas cyberattack (the attack IP from the United States), 360 first announced that it would provide network security protection free of charge, and issued an Initiative Letter emphasizing "the national righteousness of the people as its own responsibility", and promised to escort the security of domestic AI technology. This action not only enhances the credibility of 360, but also strengthens DeepSeek's recognition among users. (No information on the provision of actual help was found in public reports after the fact)
2. Technical endorsement: Zhou Hongyi's public backing
   360 founder Zhou Hongyi has repeatedly and publicly praised DeepSeek The company said that its creative ability "exceeds that of most humans" and revealed that it has been associated with DeepSeek since August 2023. This endorsement from an industry leader has significantly raised DeepSeek's profile in the market, especially in a competitive landscape dominated by ChatGPT.
3. Eco-Synergy: A Driver of Competitive Differentiation Strategies
   DeepSeek quickly seized the market through the free strategy (such as the top of the U.S. region downloads), and 360's AI search integration model provides traffic support. Zhou Hongyi has analyzed that DeepSeek's lightweight and vertical positioning can fill in the ChatGPT gaps in functional limitations, this complementary cooperation may promote the diversification of the domestic AI ecosystem.

III. Points of contention

• The timeline dispute over the partnership
  The January 26, 2025 news article stated that there was no direct collaboration between the two companies, (some of the February 12, 2025 news article also mentioned that "the partnership covers multiple dimensions". Presumably, 360 may have deepened its partnership with DeepSeek after the attack, expanding from technology integration to broader areas such as security services.
• Imagining Future Collaboration
  Zhou Hongyi has predicted that DeepSeek will become "a key force in the fight against U.S. AI hegemony", combined with the accumulation of 360 in the field of security and DeepSeek's technical advantages, the two sides may be in the development of AI security standards, cross-border data protection and other areas to explore a deeper binding.