Deep Seek Downloads Suspended in South Korea Amid Data Protection Review

South Korea has suspended new downloads of the Chinese AI app, DeepSeek, citing concerns over personal data protection. The app will remain under review until it fully complies with the country’s privacy regulations.

Suspension Due to Privacy Concerns The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) announced on Monday that the suspension was put in place after DeepSeek admitted to not fully adhering to South Korea’s data protection laws. The app’s services will be reinstated once the necessary adjustments are made to meet legal requirements.

Legal Compliance and Global ScrutinyLast week, DeepSeek appointed legal representatives in South Korea and acknowledged that it had not fully considered the country’s data protection policies, as reported by the PIPC. This development follows heightened global scrutiny over how AI applications collect, store, and handle personal data.

DeepSeek, which has gained popularity for its AI chatbot with human-like reasoning capabilities, has faced criticism over privacy concerns. The app stores all user data on servers in China, raising fears that such data could be accessed by Chinese authorities under local data-sharing laws. The company has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding these concerns.

China’s Stance on Data Privacy When questioned about the suspension, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry reiterated the Chinese government’s commitment to data privacy and security. The spokesperson further assured that Beijing does not require companies to collect or store data unlawfully.

With the rising importance of data protection, South Korea’s move to ensure compliance with its privacy laws reflects the growing global emphasis on safeguarding personal information in the AI industry.