South Korean authorities temporarily restricted downloads of China’s DeepSeek AI app from local app stores on Saturday. The decision was made as part of an assessment of how the company collects and stores user data.
The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) announced that the app would be available for download again once it complies with South Korea’s privacy laws.
How Does This Affect Existing Users?
- Users who have already downloaded the app or use the web service can continue using it.
- However, authorities strongly advise against entering personal information into DeepSeek until a final decision is made.
What’s the Issue?
After DeepSeek launched in South Korea, PIPC requested details on how the company collects and shares user data.
The investigation revealed that DeepSeek transferred South Korean user data to ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok.
DeepSeek’s Response
- The company admitted that it was unaware of South Korea’s data protection laws when launching its services.
- It has now appointed a local representative and expressed willingness to cooperate with the authorities.
Security Concerns in Other Countries
Due to its Chinese origins, several other nations, besides South Korea, have also taken precautionary measures against DeepSeek:
- Australia – Banned the use of DeepSeek on government devices.
- Italy – Blocked DeepSeek’s chatbot service in the country.
- Taiwan – Prohibited government agencies from using DeepSeek AI.
South Korea is implementing strict measures to ensure data security. While DeepSeek has expressed readiness to cooperate with the government, a final decision has yet to be announced. Meanwhile, officials continue to advise users against entering personal information into the app.
