South Korea Bans DeepSeek AI App Over Data Privacy Concerns

DeepSeek Banned in South Korea Due to Data Protection Violations

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI app, is being banned in South Korea following allegations that it fails to comply with local data protection laws. The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) has ordered tech companies like Apple and Google to remove the app from their respective app stores.

Key Points:

• Regulatory Action: South Korea’s data protection authority has ordered the removal of DeepSeek from app stores due to non-compliance with PIPC laws.
• Web Access: The app can still be accessed via a web browser in South Korea, but this is subject to change.
• Legal Response: DeepSeek has appointed legal representatives in South Korea and acknowledged partial neglect of the country’s data protection considerations.
• Controversy: The app has faced bans and scrutiny in other countries, including Italy and the United States, over privacy concerns.
• Popularity: Despite the controversy, DeepSeek reached the top of the US App Store last month, overtaking OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

Background:

DeepSeek is a Chinese AI startup that gained popularity with its model ‘R1,’ which performs well using fewer hardware resources. The app has received praise from Apple CEO Tim Cook but has also been a subject of controversy due to its origin.

According to South Korea’s regulator, DeepSeek can resume operations in the country once it implements changes to comply with local privacy laws.