South Korea has joined the global movement to impose restrictions on the Chinese company DeepSeek due to concerns over its data privacy practices.
On Saturday, South Korean officials announced a temporary halt on the downloading of the DeepSeek app until the company complies with local data protection regulations established under the Personal Information Protection Act.
Implications of a Potential DeepSeek Ban: Lessons from Global Actions.
Following a review of the app’s data handling policies, the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) reported it had found deficiencies in the app’s communication functions and its handling of personal information in conjunction with third-party service providers. The PIPC indicated that downloads will be reinstated in local app stores once DeepSeek complies with domestic privacy regulations.
DeepSeek made headlines earlier this year with its innovative reasoning chatbot, which was offered at a low cost and positioned as a free, open-source alternative to more expensive models like others. However, its privacy policy raised significant concerns as the company reportedly collects extensive user data and stores it on servers located in China, rendering that data accessible to the Chinese government under local laws.
These revelations have sparked international alarm regarding data protection and national security threats, particularly given China’s designation as a foreign adversary. Ireland and Italy have formally requested further clarification on DeepSeek’s data practices, with Italy subsequently issuing a ban on the app’s downloads. Meanwhile, Australia has also prohibited the use of DeepSeek on government devices. In the United States, federal lawmakers are considering legislation to restrict DeepSeek’s usage on government devices, with New York and Texas already initiating similar state-level actions.
In South Korea, the recent announcement clarified that users who have previously downloaded DeepSeek would retain access to the app but were advised to “use the app with caution” and to refrain from entering any personal information.
