South Korea has stopped downloads of DeepSeek. The country’s data protection authority is investigating how the Chinese company handles user data. The suspension started on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 6:00 PM. The app will return once it meets local privacy laws.
DeepSeek has agreed to cooperate. The company has appointed a local representative. It admitted to overlooking South Korean privacy laws. Officials say the review will take time, and the app remains unavailable in local app stores.
Authorities began investigating DeepSeek on Jan. 31. They found issues with data sharing and privacy policies. Local and global media raised concerns. South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) sent an inquiry to DeepSeek. The company responded on Feb. 10.
The PIPC recommended the suspension. The goal is to fix privacy issues before further problems arise. The company is working on changes. Officials will monitor the improvements closely. However, during the suspension, authorities will conduct a detailed inspection.
They will check if the app follows privacy laws. The review will focus on user data protection. Officials aim to prevent similar cases in the future. They also want to strengthen cooperation with other countries. The review will be faster than past inspections. Previous AI service checks took five months.
DeepSeek pledges cooperation with authorities
This time, only one company is under investigation. The process will be more efficient due to the experience gained from earlier cases. Authorities plan to release guidelines for AI developers. The guidelines will help foreign AI companies comply with local laws. The aim is to balance AI development and privacy protection.
Additionally, a global privacy summit will take place in Seoul this September. The event will bring together regulators from 95 countries. Officials will discuss AI privacy laws and enforcement measures. The goal is to create stronger international cooperation.
Existing DeepSeek users can still use the app. However, officials urge caution. Users should avoid entering personal data into the app. The restriction only stops new downloads. The web version remains accessible.
Users are advised to proceed with caution
Authorities will check how DeepSeek stores user data. If necessary, they will introduce new protections. The PIPC advises users to be careful until the final report is released. This case highlights growing concerns over AI and privacy. South Korea is taking a firm stance on protecting user data. The outcome of this investigation may set a precedent for future AI regulations worldwide.
