South Korea Suspends DeepSeek Downloads Over Data Protection Issues

South Korea’s data protection authority has temporarily suspended new downloads of the Chinese AI application DeepSeek due to non-compliance with the nation’s data protection regulations.

The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) announced that the app’s services will resume once the necessary adjustments are made to meet South Korea’s privacy laws. This suspension, which has been in effect since Saturday, does not impact the accessibility of DeepSeek’s web service in South Korea.

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, has acknowledged its failure to fully comply with South Korea’s data protection laws and has appointed legal representatives in the country. The PIPC stated that while DeepSeek’s web service remains available, new downloads have been suspended until the privacy concerns are addressed.

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This action mirrors similar measures taken by other nations. Italy’s data protection authority, the Garante, instructed DeepSeek to block its chatbot due to privacy policy concerns.

Additionally, the U.S. House of Representatives has introduced the “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act,” aiming to prohibit federal employees from using DeepSeek on government-issued devices, citing potential risks related to surveillance and misinformation.

The PIPC has advised current users of DeepSeek in South Korea to exercise caution, recommending that they avoid inputting personal information into the app until the issues are resolved. The commission stressed the importance of ensuring that DeepSeek complies with South Korea’s privacy laws to protect user data.