South Korea temporarily blocks DeepSeek app downloads over data handling concerns
South Korea's data protection regulator suspended DeepSeek app downloads pending investigation into the system's handling of user data, after finding that the Chinese AI company was transmitting South Korean users' information to ByteDance. Existing users can continue using the app and web service, but the regulator advised against entering personal information until the review is complete.
What happened
South Korea's Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) temporarily suspended downloads of DeepSeek from app stores in the country as of February 15, 2025, pending assessment of how the Chinese AI company handles user data.
The PIPC's investigation found issues with DeepSeek's third-party services and privacy policy, and determined that DeepSeek was transmitting South Korean users' data to ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok.
DeepSeek launched its service in South Korea in late January 2025 and opened a local office on February 10. The company acknowledged it was unfamiliar with South Korea's privacy laws when launching its service globally.
Reported impact
The suspension blocks new downloads of the app from app stores but does not affect existing users or the web service. The PIPC advised current users to avoid entering personal information into DeepSeek pending the agency's final decision.
Index analysis
The PIPC indicated that its review of DeepSeek would take less time than previous five-month reviews of multiple AI services from Google, OpenAI, Microsoft and others, as it concerns only DeepSeek.
Other countries have also restricted DeepSeek, including Australia banning it from government devices for security reasons, Italy's Garante ordering the chatbot blocked, and Taiwan banning it from government departments.
Governance controls
DeepSeek stated it would comply with South Korean privacy laws and work closely with local authorities. The company appointed a local representative in South Korea.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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