South Korea Blocks Its Citizens From Downloading DeepSeek App Over Data Concerns
The app collects vast amounts of user data, storing it on Chinese servers.
By Sukhbir Cheema — 18 Feb 2025, 03:42 PM
South Korea has become the latest country to take action against DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company facing increasing scrutiny over its data policies
Over the weekend, South Korea's Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) announced a temporary halt on downloads of the DeepSeek app, citing concerns over how the company handles user data.
According to the PIPC, an investigation into DeepSeek’s policies revealed issues related to communication features and third-party data-sharing practices.
The commission stated that downloads would remain blocked until the company brings its policies in line with South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Act.
DeepSeek, which launched in January, quickly made waves in the AI space with an advanced reasoning chatbot that was not only open-source but also significantly cheaper to develop than competitors like OpenAI's o1
However, its data practices have raised red flags worldwide.
The app collects vast amounts of user data, storing it on Chinese servers — a move that effectively makes the information accessible to the Chinese government under its domestic regulations.
Governments across the globe have reacted with caution
Italy has already banned the app, while Ireland is reviewing its data policies.
Australia recently barred DeepSeek from use on government devices, and in the US, lawmakers at both the federal and state levels are pushing for similar restrictions.
Despite the suspension in South Korea, users who have already downloaded DeepSeek can continue to access it. However, officials have urged them to proceed with caution and avoid sharing personal information.
