South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) announced on February 17, 2025, that new downloads of the Chinese AI app DeepSeek had been suspended in the country due to non-compliance with local privacy regulations. This decision came after DeepSeek acknowledged shortcomings in adhering to South Korea’s data protection laws. The suspension, which took effect on February 15, aims to prevent new downloads of the app while its web-based services remain accessible to existing users. The app will be allowed to resume operations once necessary improvements are made to align with South Korea’s privacy laws.
The PIPC’s concerns reflect broader apprehensions about DeepSeek’s data practices. The app has been accused of excessively collecting personal data, including sensitive information such as keystroke patterns and device details, and storing this data on servers in China. Under Chinese law, such data could potentially be accessed by the Chinese government, raising security concerns. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has also highlighted risks related to data misuse and potential national security threats.
The suspension follows a growing trend of scrutiny against DeepSeek globally. Countries like Italy, Australia, and Taiwan have imposed restrictions or bans due to similar privacy and security issues. Critics have pointed out that DeepSeek’s extensive data collection practices, coupled with China’s legal framework requiring companies to cooperate with government requests for data, pose significant risks. Additionally, DeepSeek has faced accusations of censorship and providing inconsistent responses depending on the language used, further fueling geopolitical concerns.
In South Korea specifically, the app has already been banned in schools and some government agencies due to fears of data leaks and misuse. Authorities have advised existing users to exercise caution when using the app until its compliance with privacy regulations is verified.