South Korea Blocks DeepSeek Downloads from Local App Stores

South Korean officials temporarily blocked downloads of DeepSeek app on Saturday, citing concerns over user data handling. The restriction will remain in place until the Chinese AI lab complies with Korean privacy laws.

The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) stated that DeepSeek can resume downloads once it makes the required changes. However, current users can still access the app and web service. Despite this, the agency strongly advises users to avoid entering personal data until a final decision is made.

DeepSeek launched in South Korea in late January. Shortly after, the PIPC contacted the company to review its data collection and processing practices. The investigation revealed issues with DeepSeek’s third-party service and privacy policies. The PIPC also confirmed that DeepSeek transferred South Korean user data to ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company.

DeepSeek recently appointed a local representative and admitted it was unfamiliar with South Korea’s privacy laws at launch. Last Friday, the company announced it would work closely with Korean authorities to resolve the issue.

Global Scrutiny Grows Over DeepSeek AI Operations

Earlier this month, South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, along with the police and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, blocked access to DeepSeek on official devices. They cited security concerns as the reason for the restriction.

South Korea isn’t alone in its cautious approach toward the Chinese AI startup. Australia has banned DeepSeek on government devices due to similar concerns. Italy’s data protection authority, Garante, has ordered the company to block its chatbot in the country. Meanwhile, Taiwan has prohibited government departments from using it altogether.