South Korea has temporarily paused the download of Chinese AI Chatbot DeepSeek, over user privacy concerns and failure to adhere to the country’s data protection rules.
According to the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC), DeepSeek acknowledged its failure to address parts of the nation’s data protection law and has agreed to collaborate with local authorities to address data protection issues before resuming operations.
As a result, the app has been removed from the South Korean versions of Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
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“To prevent further concerns from spreading, the commission recommended that DeepSeek temporarily suspend its service while making the necessary improvements”, the commission wrote.
Nam Seok, the director of PIP’s investigation division, has warned existing users to be cautious, advising them to delete the app until privacy concerns are resolved. This follows a series of government and corporate restrictions on DeepSeek’s usage in official networks and workplaces due to fears that the chatbot collects excessive user data.
The PIPC added that the app’s service would resume once the company implements improvements in accordance with National privacy laws.
DeepSeek App Usage Scrutiny
The halt of DeepSeek download in South Korea comes as several countries across the globe, have also placed a ban on the app, citing security and privacy concerns.
Countries such as Italy and Australia, have already banned government use of DeepSeek over security concerns. Privacy regulators in Ireland, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands have also raised alarms over the chatbot’s data collection practices.
Earlier this month, Texas, a constituent state of the United States of America, announced the ban on the Chinese Open-source AI model app, citing national security and data privacy risks. The move is part of a broader effort to curb potential foreign cyber threats and restrict access to Chinese technology within government institutions. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, announced the decision, emphasizing the need to protect the state’s digital infrastructure from foreign influence.
In Indonesia, the Communications and Digital Affairs Ministry is assessing whether to block the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot. Deputy Minister Nezar Patria said Indonesia will take a cautious approach, studying the impact and development of the technology before making a decision.
“We are still monitoring its progress because this is a technological innovation. DeepSeek could be an alternative in the digital ecosystem,” Nezar said at the ministry’s office in Jakarta.
A primary issue of DeepSeek’s surge in scrutiny is the apprehension that the app’s data collection practices may lack transparency regarding third-party data transfers, potentially gathering sensitive user information that could be accessed by the Chinese government.
DeepSeek’s Rise Amid Security Concerns And Scrutiny
Despite the widespread ban, DeepSeek has gained massive global popularity, boasting over 16 million downloads worldwide and ranking as the most downloaded app in 140 countries.
In South Korea alone, a recent Wiseapp Retail analysis found that 1.2 million smartphone users deployed the app in the fourth week of January, making it the second-most-used Al model behind ChatGPT.
DeepSeek’s R1 Al model has drawn international attention due to its high accuracy and efficiency, despite operating with fewer resources compared to its U.S. counterparts. The app’s success highlights the geopolitical implications of AI development, particularly the importance of talent and fundamental research.
In the US, the Chinese Open-Source AI model has already impacted the markets, raising concerns about the potential for economic manipulation through technological announcements.
Overall, DeepSeek’s advancements illustrate the complexities of AI regulation, the need for robust privacy protections, and the evolving landscape of global AI competition.