The South Korean government has temporarily blocked the Deepseek AI chatbot developed in China due to concerns about the management of personal data. The application remains operational through web browsers but is absent from Apple and Google app stores. Other countries like Taiwan, Australia, and Italy have also restricted the use of Deepseek citing privacy and national security concerns.
Deepseek’s popularity in South Korea led to over one million downloads in a short period, prompting authorities to scrutinize the app. The PIPC found irregularities in data collection and storage practices, leading to the temporary ban on new downloads. South Korea is also concerned about the economic impact of Deepseek on the local technological sector.
South Korean authorities have indicated that Deepseek may be available again once safety and data protection protocols are improved. The Chinese company behind Deepseek acknowledged not fully considering local regulations and has appointed legal representatives in South Korea to address the issues. The review process may take time, but the Chinese government has defended the company, urging against the politicization of technological and commercial matters.
