South Korea has taken a firm stance against DeepSeek, a fast-growing Chinese AI chatbot, citing serious privacy concerns. The country’s Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) has ordered the removal of the app from major app stores. This order has effectively prevented new downloads until the company addresses data security issues.
A Sudden Rise, Followed by Restrictions
DeepSeek made headlines globally and quickly gained traction in South Korea, amassing over a million weekly users. The AI chatbot soared to the top of app store rankings, with many South Koreans eager to test its advanced capabilities. However, its rapid adoption also drew intense scrutiny worldwide.
The South Korean government took action after concerns emerged over how DeepSeek handles personal user data. Several government agencies imposed restrictions, banning employees from downloading the chatbot on work devices. The PIPC later enforced a nationwide suspension of new downloads from Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
Why Is DeepSeek Facing Scrutiny?
DeepSeek’s privacy policies have raised alarms across multiple countries. Authorities worry that the chatbot collects and stores sensitive personal information, including email addresses and dates of birth, potentially exposing users to privacy risks. The company’s privacy policy suggests that data may be stored on servers in China, which has sparked fears over foreign surveillance and data misuse.
South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, acknowledged these concerns. He called DeepSeek’s emergence a “shock” that could impact the nation’s industries beyond AI. While existing users can continue accessing the app or visit DeepSeek’s website, new downloads remain blocked until the company ensures compliance with South Korean data protection laws.
A Global Wave of Bans
South Korea isn’t alone in taking action against DeepSeek. Other countries have also introduced restrictions over similar concerns:
- Taiwan and Australia: Both nations have banned DeepSeek from government devices, citing security risks.
- Italy: Its data protection authority, which previously banned ChatGPT in 2023 over privacy concerns, has temporarily restricted DeepSeek.
- France and Ireland: Regulators have posed questions about where DeepSeek stores its users’ personal information.
- United States: Lawmakers have proposed a bill to ban DeepSeek from federal devices. And Texas, Virginia, and New York have already introduced similar restrictions at the state level.
The Australian government insists its decision is based on security risks rather than the app’s Chinese origins. Meanwhile, European regulators demand clarity on how DeepSeek processes and safeguards user data.
Also read: Why are Countries Banning DeepSeek?
A Challenge to the AI Industry
DeepSeek’s ban raises larger questions about the AI industry and the balance between innovation and security. The chatbot’s underlying large language model (LLM) reportedly rivals top-tier AI models, such as OpenAI’s GPT-4. The catch is it only operates at a fraction of the cost. This efficiency has led to concerns over the billions of dollars invested in AI infrastructure in the U.S.
However, the scrutiny surrounding DeepSeek reflects a growing trend of governments tightening regulations on AI technologies to ensure user data protection. This could set a precedent for how future AI models operate in international markets.
What’s DeepSeek Doing?
DeepSeek has yet to address privacy concerns and clarify its data storage. There’s been no provision of a detailed response regarding potential policy changes or compliance efforts.
