South Korea Halts DeepSeek AI App Amid Data Privacy Concerns

In a significant regulatory move, South Korea has put a temporary ban on the downloads of the Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek, following concerns over data privacy and security. The app, which has seen soaring global popularity since its launch last month, is currently unavailable in South Korean app stores, although it can still be accessed through web browsers. The decision stems from worries about the app's adherence to local personal information protection laws, as various government agencies in South Korea, Taiwan, and Australia have expressed caution about using DeepSeek's products.

The rapid rise of DeepSeek, developed by the Chinese company of the same name, has taken the tech world by storm, with claims of outperforming leading competitors while utilizing a fraction of the typical computing resources. This success has resulted in a broader discussion about the effectiveness of U.S. efforts to restrict China's access to crucial technology and semiconductor components. Amid these concerns, the app has become a popular choice among South Korean users in the AI category, prompting action from regulators, who have already advised government employees against using it on official devices. The company has acknowledged the regulatory scrutiny and appointed a local agent in South Korea to help ensure compliance.

Concerns extend beyond South Korea, as international regulators are closely monitoring DeepSeek's operations and the potential implications for national security. In response to the criticisms, a spokesperson from China's foreign ministry urged other countries to avoid politicizing economic and technological matters.