South Korea Shuts Down DeepSeek App Downloads in Local App Stores
South Korea has temporarily restricted downloads of the DeepSeek app, developed by the Chinese AI lab, as officials assess how the company manages user data. This decision comes amid growing concerns over privacy and data protection, particularly related to international tech companies operating within the country.
DeepSeek’s Temporary Restrictions in South Korea
The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) in South Korea announced that the DeepSeek app will not be available for download from app stores until the company complies with local privacy regulations. The app will be reinstated once it meets the necessary requirements.
Current Users Advised to Exercise Caution
While the restrictions do not impact the existing app’s usage, the PIPC has strongly advised current users against entering personal information into DeepSeek until a final decision is made. This precautionary measure aims to protect user data while the investigation is underway.
Background of the Investigation
Since the launch of DeepSeek in South Korea in late January, the PIPC has actively sought clarity on how the Chinese company collects and processes personal data. Their evaluation revealed significant issues regarding DeepSeek’s third-party services and privacy policies.
- DeepSeek transferred data of South Korean users to ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok.
- The company admitted to being unfamiliar with South Korean privacy laws at the time of its launch.
- DeepSeek has recently appointed a local representative to facilitate compliance with South Korean regulations.
Collaborative Efforts with Korean Authorities
DeepSeek expressed its intention to work closely with South Korean authorities to address these concerns. However, the company has yet to respond to requests for comment from media outlets like TechCrunch.
Wider Global Concerns About DeepSeek
South Korea is not alone in its scrutiny of DeepSeek. Other countries have enacted similar measures due to security concerns:
- Australia: Prohibited the use of DeepSeek on government devices.
- Italy: The Garante, Italy’s data protection authority, instructed the company to block its chatbot.
- Taiwan: Banned government departments from utilizing DeepSeek AI.
About DeepSeek
Founded in 2023 by Liang Feng in Hangzhou, DeepSeek launched its DeepSeek R1 app, a free, open-source reasoning AI model designed to compete with industry giants like OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
As the landscape of data privacy continues to evolve, it is essential for users to stay informed about the apps they use. For more insights on data protection and privacy regulations, visit Privacy Australia.