The South Korean government announced the suspension of the Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek, effective immediately, leaving the app unavailable in major app stores.
South Korea Halts DeepSeek AI App Amid Data Privacy Concerns
South Korea Halts DeepSeek AI App Amid Data Privacy Concerns
South Korea has temporarily banned downloads of DeepSeek's AI app until it meets local data protection regulations.
The South Korean government took decisive action on Monday by temporarily halting new downloads of the DeepSeek AI chatbot, developed by a Chinese firm. Following a meteoric rise, the app had dominated global app store downloads since its launch last month, prompting significant concern among regulators. While the app is no longer accessible in the Apple or Google app stores in South Korea, users can still reach it via web browsers. Authorities indicate that the app's service will resume once compliance with national data protection laws is established.
DeepSeek, powered by advanced AI technology, has drawn attention for offering performance on par with leading American products, but at a fraction of the cost. This bold claim led to declines in U.S. tech stocks last month and sparked intense discussions about China's access to critical chip technology. Since its launch, the app has been lauded in China and recognized as a significant player within the country's tech sector, with its founder meeting with top Chinese officials including President Xi Jinping.
However, outside of China, the application’s swift ascent has raised alarms regarding security, censorship, and the management of sensitive user data. DeepSeek quickly became one of South Korea's top downloads in the AI category, leading the government to advise many employees against using the app on official devices earlier this month. Similar advisories have been issued by government agencies in Taiwan and Australia due to security concerns related to DeepSeek's operations.
The Personal Information Protection Commission of South Korea revealed that issues concerning the app’s processing of personal data had been identified, noting that rectifying these issues would require considerable time. To address these regulatory hurdles, DeepSeek appointed a local agent in South Korea just last week to assist in compliance efforts.
In response to South Korea's decision, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry stated that the Government of China expects Chinese companies to operate in accordance with local laws while urging other nations to avoid politicizing economic and technological issues. The controversy surrounding DeepSeek highlights the ongoing tension between technological innovation and regulatory frameworks in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI applications.
DeepSeek, powered by advanced AI technology, has drawn attention for offering performance on par with leading American products, but at a fraction of the cost. This bold claim led to declines in U.S. tech stocks last month and sparked intense discussions about China's access to critical chip technology. Since its launch, the app has been lauded in China and recognized as a significant player within the country's tech sector, with its founder meeting with top Chinese officials including President Xi Jinping.
However, outside of China, the application’s swift ascent has raised alarms regarding security, censorship, and the management of sensitive user data. DeepSeek quickly became one of South Korea's top downloads in the AI category, leading the government to advise many employees against using the app on official devices earlier this month. Similar advisories have been issued by government agencies in Taiwan and Australia due to security concerns related to DeepSeek's operations.
The Personal Information Protection Commission of South Korea revealed that issues concerning the app’s processing of personal data had been identified, noting that rectifying these issues would require considerable time. To address these regulatory hurdles, DeepSeek appointed a local agent in South Korea just last week to assist in compliance efforts.
In response to South Korea's decision, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry stated that the Government of China expects Chinese companies to operate in accordance with local laws while urging other nations to avoid politicizing economic and technological issues. The controversy surrounding DeepSeek highlights the ongoing tension between technological innovation and regulatory frameworks in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI applications.
