Chinese AI firm DeepSeek has temporarily halted downloads of its chatbot applications in South Korea while collaborating with local privacy regulators to resolve concerns, according to officials who confirmed the news on Monday, as reported by the Associated Press and local media outlets. This decision comes as part of a broader effort to enhance privacy safeguards before the apps are potentially relaunched. The move, which took effect on Saturday night, involves removing DeepSeek’s apps from the South Korean versions of Apple’s App Store and Google Play. While this suspension does not affect existing mobile users or desktop clients of the platform, Nam Seok, who leads the investigation arm of South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC), has urged users in the country to uninstall the app and avoid inputting personal data until the privacy issues are fully addressed.
The decision to suspend downloads in South Korea is part of a larger response to growing concerns over DeepSeek’s data collection practices. Multiple South Korean government agencies and private corporations have already blocked access to DeepSeek’s services on their networks, citing fears over how the AI model handles user data. The PIPC, which began its investigation into DeepSeek last month, has identified specific issues with the company’s transparency regarding the sharing of data with third parties, as well as potential overcollection of personal information. These findings have prompted regulators to take a closer look at how DeepSeek operates and to ensure that its practices align with South Korea’s strict privacy laws.
DeepSeek’s temporary withdrawal from the South Korean market comes at a time when the company was experiencing significant growth in the region. According to market analysis firm Wiseapp Retail, DeepSeek had attracted approximately 1.2 million smartphone users in South Korea by late January, making it the second most popular AI platform in the country after ChatGPT. Despite this success, the suspension highlights the challenges that DeepSeek and other AI firms face as they navigate increasingly complex data privacy regulations around the world. Choi Jang-hyuk, vice chair of the PIPC, stated at a press conference that during the suspension period, regulators will conduct a thorough examination of DeepSeek’s AI model to ensure compliance with South Korea’s privacy laws and to address public concerns about data privacy.
The scrutiny DeepSeek is facing in South Korea is part of a broader trend of governments worldwide taking a harder line on AI platforms over concerns about data privacy and security. Italy’s Data Protection Authority was one of the first to act, blocking the app due to a lack of transparency in how user data is collected and stored. In the United States, the state of New York has banned DeepSeek from government devices, and a bipartisan bill is being considered to extend this ban federally. Australia has also taken similar measures, prohibiting the use of DeepSeek in all government systems, while major banks and telecommunications companies in the country have imposed their own restrictions. Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs has likewise taken action, citing national security risks as the reason for banning the platform.
The Chinese government has responded to these developments, emphasizing its commitment to data security and privacy. A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry addressed the concerns earlier this month, stating, “The Chinese government attaches great importance to data privacy and security and protects it in accordance with the law. We have never asked and will never ask any company or individual to collect or store data against laws.” The spokesperson also criticized what China sees as overly broad interpretations of national security being used to restrict its tech companies, saying, “China has all along opposed moves to overstretch the concept of national security or politicize trade and tech issues. We will firmly protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies.”
This international backlash against DeepSeek underscores the delicate balance that AI companies must strike between innovation and compliance as they expand globally. While DeepSeek and other AI platforms offer cutting-edge technologies with the potential to transform industries, their growth is increasingly being checked by regulators who are demanding greater accountability for how user data is handled. For DeepSeek, the suspension in South Korea and the growing list of countries imposing restrictions present significant challenges to its global ambitions. However, the company’s willingness to collaborate with regulators and address concerns may yet pave the way for its return to these markets once the necessary safeguards are in place.
