South Korea Restricts Access to DeepSeek Over Data Security Concerns | Llm datasets github | Large language models course | Large language models chatgpt review | Turtles AI

The South Korean government has blocked access to China’s DeepSeek AI platform on government devices over security concerns after the company failed to respond to requests for clarification on its data handling practices. Similar measures have been taken in several other countries.

Key Points:

• Government Restrictions: South Korean ministries and law enforcement agencies have blocked DeepSeek from government computers to prevent data leaks.
• International Investigation: France, Italy and Australia have also taken similar measures, with investigations into DeepSeek’s practices underway.
• Security Concerns: The concern is over the Chinese startup’s handling of information amid global tech tensions.
• Chinese Response: Beijing rejects the accusations, defending its companies and accusing the issue of excessive politicization.

Several South Korean institutions, including ministries and police forces, have decided to block access to DeepSeek, the innovative Chinese AI startup, after it failed to respond to local authorities’ requests regarding the handling of sensitive user data. The decision was made following growing concerns about the possibility that confidential information could be compromised through the use of generative AI services. The Ministry of Defense, responsible for the country’s military security, confirmed the implementation of restrictive measures, underlining the risk of vulnerabilities related to the use of external AI platforms. The South Korean police also adopted a similar measure, while the Ministry of Commerce imposed temporary restrictions on all government devices. Other institutions, including the ministries of Finance, Unification and Foreign Affairs, followed suit with similar security measures.

Seoul’s decision is part of a broader picture of international mistrust towards DeepSeek. Italy recently launched an investigation into the platform, prohibiting it from processing Italian users’ data. Australia and Taiwan have also banned the use of Chinese technology on government devices, citing national security concerns. France has expressed similar concerns, while the United States and India are currently assessing the implications of using Chinese AI.

The debate over DeepSeek comes amid a broader global technological rivalry, with the United States and China increasingly competing in the AI ​​space. Kim Jong-hwa, an AI professor at Cheju Halla University, said there may be a political dimension to the issue, but that AI platforms pose significant security and data protection challenges. He said governments were justified in being cautious, as it was difficult to gauge the level of attention DeepSeek paid to security when developing its chatbot.

Beijing has rejected the accusations, saying the Chinese government never forces companies to collect data illegally. A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry also stressed China’s opposition to the “politicization of economic and technological issues,” promising that the rights of Chinese companies will be vigorously defended.

Meanwhile, competition in the AI ​​sector is growing increasingly intense. Chinese startup DeepSeek said it developed its R1 model using H800 chips, which are allowed to be sold in China until 2023 under US export regulations. The growing international pressure on Chinese technology companies comes at a time when major chipmakers such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are expanding their investment in the AI ​​sector. The South Korean government recently announced a 34 trillion won (about $23.5 billion) investment plan to support the high-tech and semiconductor industries, signaling the sector’s strategic importance to the country’s competitiveness.

In this scenario, the global challenge of AI is not limited to computational power, but extends to data security, regulation and geopolitical control of the technology.