South Korea Suspends DeepSeek AI Over Data Privacy Issues
South Korea’s Regulatory Authorities Halt New Downloads of DeepSeek Chatbot
South Korea has banned the Chinese artificial intelligence chatbot, DeepSeek AI, over concerns related to data privacy. The decision, announced by South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) on Monday, February 17, 2025, has led to the suspension of DeepSeek’s R1 chatbot from Apple’s App Store and Google Play within the country.
The South Korean privacy watchdog stated that DeepSeek AI had agreed to comply with the request to suspend downloads of its chatbot application in South Korea. Consequently, the app became unavailable on local app stores starting Saturday, February 15, 2025.
According to the PIPC, the suspension was deemed necessary to prevent further concerns regarding user data security. The commission stated, “To prevent further concerns from spreading, the commission recommended that DeepSeek temporarily suspend its service while making the necessary improvements.” The regulator further emphasized that bringing the AI application in line with South Korean data protection laws would require substantial time and effort.
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Despite the ban on new downloads, users who had already installed the DeepSeek AI chatbot before its removal can continue accessing the service. However, the government has urged DeepSeek to implement necessary improvements to address data privacy concerns before reinstating the app for new downloads.
The move comes amid growing concerns over foreign AI applications and their handling of user data. South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy had already imposed restrictions on its employees, prohibiting them from using DeepSeek on government devices due to potential security risks.
As South Korea continues to reinforce its data protection laws, regulatory actions such as these highlight the government’s strict approach toward ensuring user privacy and safeguarding sensitive information from potential breaches. While DeepSeek AI remains suspended, the possibility of its return depends on whether the company can meet the compliance standards set forth by South Korean authorities.
The PIPC has assured that the chatbot application will be permitted to return to the country’s digital marketplace once it aligns with South Korean data privacy regulations. The commission stated that “necessary improvements and remedies” must be applied to ensure compliance with local laws before DeepSeek AI can resume operations in South Korea.
This ban marks another instance of heightened scrutiny on AI-powered applications, reflecting the increasing global emphasis on data protection and regulatory oversight in the age of artificial intelligence.
