South Korea has banned new downloads of China’s DeepSeek artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, citing concerns over personal data protection.
The country’s Personal Information Protection Commission announced the suspension, stating that the chatbot will remain unavailable until necessary “improvements and remedies” are made to ensure compliance with South Korean privacy laws.
Surging Popularity Meets Regulatory Pushback
DeepSeek quickly became a sensation in South Korea, reaching the top of app store charts with over a million weekly users. However, its rapid rise also triggered scrutiny from regulators worldwide, leading to bans and restrictions in multiple countries over privacy and national security concerns.
Following the decision, the AI chatbot was removed from Apple’s App Store and Google Play in South Korea on Saturday evening. The move came after several South Korean government agencies prohibited employees from downloading DeepSeek on work devices.
South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, described DeepSeek’s emergence as a “shock” that could impact industries beyond artificial intelligence. Despite the suspension of new downloads, existing users can continue accessing the chatbot through their devices or DeepSeek’s website.
Global Concerns Over DeepSeek’s Capabilities
DeepSeek has sent shockwaves through the global technology industry since launching its latest app last month. The chatbot’s capabilities, reportedly on par with US models like OpenAI’s GPT-4 but significantly cheaper to train and operate, have raised questions about the massive investments being funneled into AI development in the US and beyond.
The chatbot’s rapid adoption has also prompted regulatory responses in multiple jurisdictions. Taiwan and Australia have banned DeepSeek from government devices, while Italy’s privacy watchdog—known for briefly banning ChatGPT in 2023—has taken similar action, requiring the company to address concerns before the app can return to stores.
In the United States, lawmakers have proposed a federal ban on DeepSeek for government use, citing surveillance risks. At the state level, Texas, Virginia, and New York have already enacted similar restrictions on their employees.
As AI continues to advance, the debate over privacy, security, and global competition in artificial intelligence is only intensifying.
