While the app remains accessible to existing users, authorities have strongly advised against entering personal information until a thorough review is complete.
DeepSeek, developed by the Chinese AI Lab of the same name, launched in South Korea earlier this year. Shortly after, regulators began questioning its data collection practices.
Upon investigation, the PIPC discovered that DeepSeek had transferred South Korean user data to ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. This revelation raised red flags, given the ongoing global scrutiny of Chinese tech firms over potential security risks.
South Korea’s response reflects its increasing emphasis on digital sovereignty. The PIPC has stated that DeepSeek will only be reinstated on app stores once it aligns with national privacy regulations.
The AI company has since appointed a local representative and acknowledged that it was unfamiliar with South Korea’s legal framework when it launched the service. It has now committed to working with authorities to address compliance issues.
DeepSeek’s privacy concerns extend beyond South Korea. Earlier this month, key government agencies—including the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, as well as Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power—temporarily blocked the app on official devices, citing security risks.
Australia has already prohibited the use of DeepSeek on government devices, while Italy’s data protection agency has ordered the company to disable its chatbot within its borders. Taiwan has gone a step further by banning all government departments from using DeepSeek AI, further illustrating the growing hesitancy toward Chinese AI firms.
DeepSeek, founded in 2023 by Liang Feng in Hangzhou, China, has positioned itself as a competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, offering a free, open-source AI model. However, its rapid expansion has drawn scrutiny over potential data security vulnerabilities, especially in regions wary of foreign digital influence.
South Korea’s decision underscores the broader challenge of regulating artificial intelligence in an era of increasing geopolitical and technological tensions.
As AI-powered applications become more integrated into daily life, governments are taking a closer look at the entities behind them, particularly when sensitive user data is involved.
For now, DeepSeek’s future in South Korea hinges on whether it can address regulators’ concerns and demonstrate full compliance with the country’s strict data privacy standards. Until then, authorities remain cautious about allowing the app’s unrestricted use.
