South Korea has pulled the plug on the popular DeepSeek AI chatbot, suspending new downloads over privacy concerns. The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) confirmed that the app, developed by China’s DeepSeek company, will remain unavailable until it meets South Korea’s strict data protection laws. This move follows a growing international scrutiny of the app, which has been rapidly climbing the ranks of global AI tools.
DeepSeek had surged in popularity in South Korea, reaching over a million weekly users in its first few days. However, its swift rise in the app stores triggered alarm bells from privacy watchdogs and governments around the world. In response, several South Korean agencies have barred employees from using the app on official devices.
The suspension of new downloads came after deep concerns over the app’s handling of personal data, particularly the potential for Chinese government surveillance. While existing users can still access the app, they can only do so via DeepSeek’s website.
South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, described the app’s rapid ascent as a “shock,” highlighting potential impacts on industries beyond just AI. Several other countries have followed suit, including Taiwan, Australia, and Italy, which have all restricted DeepSeek from government devices. In the United States, lawmakers have even proposed a federal ban on the app, citing national security risks.
Concerns centre on DeepSeek’s privacy policy, which raises questions about the storage of personal data on Chinese servers. The app is reported to collect sensitive information, such as email addresses and dates of birth, to improve its AI models. These privacy issues have sparked investigations from European regulators in France and Ireland.
Despite these challenges, DeepSeek’s impressive capabilities—comparable to US-based AI models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT—have led to its widespread popularity. Its ability to provide robust AI interactions at a fraction of the cost of its competitors has made it a formidable player in the global AI race, raising new questions about the ethics and security of cutting-edge technology.
