DeepSeek Halts App Downloads in South Korea Amid Privacy Concerns
Chinese AI firm DeepSeek has temporarily suspended downloads of its chatbot applications in South Korea while working with local privacy regulators to address concerns, officials confirmed Monday, according to AP and local media.
The rising AI player pulled its apps from South Korean versions of Apple’s App Store and Google Play on Saturday night, working in tandem with the country’s Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) to beef up privacy safeguards before any potential relaunch.
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While the move doesn’t impact DeepSeek’s existing mobile users or desktop clients, Nam Seok, who heads the commission’s investigation arm, urged South Korean users to remove the app and steer clear of inputting personal data until the privacy issues are addressed.
Multiple South Korean government bodies and corporations have already blocked DeepSeek from their networks, citing concerns over the AI model’s data collection practices.
The commission, which launched its DeepSeek probe last month, discovered issues with the company’s transparency regarding third-party data sharing and potentially excessive personal information gathering, according to Nam.
“During the service suspension period, we will closely examine the DeepSeek AI model’s personal data processing to ensure better compliance with the country’s privacy law and address concerns about data privacy,” Choi Jang-hyuk, PIPC vice chair, said at a press conference.
While official user numbers remain uncertain, market analysis firm Wiseapp Retail reported DeepSeek attracted approximately 1.2 million South Korean smartphone users in late January, establishing itself as the second most popular AI platform in the country after ChatGPT, per AP.
DeepSeek’s global footprint is shrinking as a growing number of governments slam the brakes on the AI platform over data privacy and security concerns. Italy’s Data Protection Authority was among the first to block the app, citing a lack of transparency on data collection and storage. In the U.S., New York State has officially banned DeepSeek from government devices, while a bipartisan bill is pushing for a wider federal prohibition. Australia has followed suit, barring the AI from all government systems, with major banks and telecom firms also tightening their grip. Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs has enacted similar measures, citing national security risks.
Earlier this month, the Chinese government addressed these concerns. “The Chinese government attaches great importance to data privacy and security and protects it in accordance with the law. We have never asked and will never ask any company or individual to collect or store data against laws,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said. “China has all along opposed moves to overstretch the concept of national security or politicize trade and tech issues. We will firmly protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies.”
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