South Korea has temporarily suspended the Chinese AI app DeepSeek due to data privacy issues. The Personal Information Protection Commission announced the suspension on Monday, stating that services were halted at 6 pm local time on Saturday. Officials noted the app will return once it aligns with South Korea’s data protection laws.
Government Inquiries and Response
The suspension follows weeks of government agencies blocking internal access to the app. Additionally, South Korea sent an inquiry last month asking DeepSeek to clarify its data collection practices. In response, the app’s representatives acknowledged flaws in its compliance with the country’s data protection laws. DeepSeek assured it would cooperate with authorities to address these concerns.
Global Concerns Over DeepSeek’s Data Practices
South Korea is not the only country questioning DeepSeek’s data security. Other nations have also raised concerns. On January 31, NASA blocked the app from its systems. Prior to this, the U.S. Navy warned its members against using DeepSeek, citing security and ethical concerns.
Other Nations Follow Suit
Similarly, the Australian government blocked the app on all official devices, fearing security risks. The Italian Data Protection Authority limited the app’s use of Italian users’ data due to unclear data usage practices. Taiwan also banned its government departments from using the app for similar reasons.
Widespread Worries About Data Security
These countries share concerns over how DeepSeek manages and stores personal data, citing significant security risks due to lack of transparency.
