DeepSeek Blocked in South Korea: Privacy and Security Under Scrutiny | Is chatgpt a large language model | Large language models pdf | Llm models list | Turtles AI

South Korean authorities have temporarily suspended the downloading of the DeepSeek app from local stores, citing concerns over the handling of personal data. The investigation revealed the transfer of information to ByteDance, raising national security concerns. The service remains accessible via the web, but users have been advised to avoid entering sensitive data. DeepSeek, active since 2023, has promised cooperation with Korean authorities.

Key points:

• Temporary block: South Korea prevented DeepSeek app downloads until verification of compliance with local laws.
• Data transfer: investigation revealed user information being sent to ByteDance.
• Global restrictions: Australia, Italy and Taiwan have already imposed restrictions on DeepSeek for security reasons.
• Corporate collaboration: DeepSeek has appointed a representative in South Korea and promised regulatory adjustments.

South Korean authorities have cracked down on DeepSeek, temporarily blocking its download from local stores. The measure, announced by the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC), will remain in effect until the Chinese company demonstrates full compliance with the country’s privacy laws. The decision does not affect the enjoyment of the application and web service for users who are already registered, although the regulator has strongly advised against entering personal data within the platform until further official orders.

The attention of Korean authorities intensified after DeepSeek’s debut in the country in late January, prompting PIPC to initiate audits into how sensitive information is collected and processed. The analysis revealed critical issues in the company’s policies and, most importantly, the transfer of user data to ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, which has already been at the center of international controversy over cybersecurity issues. DeepSeek, when asked about this, did not provide immediate comment.

In parallel, the South Korean government has also activated preventive measures at the institutional level. Ministry of Commerce, National Police, and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, the state-owned nuclear power company, have blocked access to the platform on official devices, highlighting data security concerns. This decision is part of a broader context of caution against AI tools developed in China, which are seen as potential vectors of vulnerability for national digital infrastructure.

South Korea is not the only country to restrict DeepSeek: Australia has banned the app’s use on government devices, while in Italy the Garante per la protezione dei dati personali (Italian data protection authority) has imposed a block on DeepSeek’s chatbot. Taiwan has banned use of the platform within government departments, reinforcing a generalized distrust of Chinese AI.

Founded in Hangzhou in 2023 by Liang Feng, DeepSeek quickly gained visibility in the AI industry with the release of DeepSeek R1, an open-source reasoning-focused model designed to compete with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The company recently appointed a local representative in South Korea and admitted that it did not adequately consider the country’s privacy regulations at the time of its launch. However, it has assured that it will work closely with the authorities to make the required changes.

The development of the case will be crucial in understanding the future of the platform in South Korea and the implications for the global AI market.