Privacy Violations Drive South Korea to Suspend DeepSeek AI Downloads

South Korea has imposed a nationwide suspension on new DeepSeek AI downloads after the company’s mobile apps failed data-protection regulation checks.

DeepSeek AI apps found non-compliant

Downloads of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot DeepSeek apps have been halted in South Korea after authorities deemed the platform didn’t meet its data protection standards.

According to a Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) announcement, new app downloads were restricted starting Feb 15. However, the web service is still accessible.

“The domestic service of the Deep Seek app has been temporarily suspended from 6:00 PM on Saturday, February 15, and the service is scheduled to resume after improvements and supplements are made in accordance with the domestic Personal Information Protection Act (hereinafter referred to as the “Protection Act”).”

Troublesome personal information collection policies identified

The PIPC conducted its own assessment of the AI platform that took the world by storm. According to the agency, a series of policies on collection of personal information with third-party providers and communication function shortcomings fueled the decision to suspend new downloads of DeepSeek’s mobile apps.

“We ask existing users (those who have already downloaded from the app market) and web users to use the app with caution,” reads the agency’s advisory. “This temporary suspension of the DeepSeek app restricts new app downloads from the app market, and we ask existing users to use it cautiously, such as not entering personal information in the DeepSeek input window (prompt) until the final results are announced. “

Company’s response

DeepSeek’s parent company announced last week the appointment of a domestic representative. It also acknowledged that it overlooked domestic protection regulations during the global launch of its AI platform.

Last but not least, the company said it intends to fully cooperate with the PIPC and become compliant with its regulations in the future.

This is not the first time DeepSeek has faced difficulties, as the service’s quick ascension in popularity has led governments, security experts and other competent authorities to put it under scrutiny.

Earlier this month, DeepSeek was banned from government devices in Taiwan for fears that it might facilitate data leaks. To add fuel to the fire, researchers found that DeepSeek’s website harbored an obfuscated script allegedly designed to harvest user data and send it to a Chinese telecom firm.