South Korea Suspends DeepSeek AI Chatbot Downloads Over Data Protection Concerns

Regulatory Action and Compliance Issues

South Korea has officially suspended new downloads of the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot DeepSeek, citing concerns over its compliance with domestic data protection laws. The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) announced that the suspension took effect on February 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. local time. While the mobile app downloads have been halted, the web-based version of DeepSeek remains accessible to users.

The PIPC stated that it launched an independent review of DeepSeek immediately after its introduction in South Korea. The investigation revealed several shortcomings in the way the AI chatbot processes personal information and interacts with third-party service providers.

DeepSeek's Response and Required Adjustments

In response to the regulatory action, DeepSeek has appointed a local representative and acknowledged that it had not fully considered South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) when launching its service.

To resume app downloads in South Korea, DeepSeek must implement necessary improvements that align its operations with the country’s data privacy framework. The PIPC has emphasized that the temporary suspension is aimed at ensuring compliance, and users should be cautious when interacting with the AI chatbot.

The commission also plans to enhance compliance monitoring and provide additional guidance to prevent similar issues from affecting other AI-driven services operating in South Korea.

Security and Privacy Concerns

The suspension follows recent warnings from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), which raised alarms about DeepSeek’s excessive collection of personal data and its use of the information to train AI models.

Cybersecurity experts have also flagged security vulnerabilities in DeepSeek’s Android and iOS apps, highlighting that certain types of data are transmitted to the company’s servers without encryption, leaving user information susceptible to interception.

These concerns echo broader global scrutiny surrounding AI services and the potential risks associated with data security, cross-border data transfers, and regulatory compliance.

China's Stance on Foreign AI and Data Privacy

China has previously emphasized that it allows foreign internet companies to operate within its borders as long as they adhere to local regulations. Beijing has also stated that it does not compel companies or individuals to collect or store data in a manner that violates international laws.

However, DeepSeek’s operations have triggered similar concerns in other nations, with several governments—including Italy and Taiwan—restricting or banning the chatbot due to data privacy risks.

Looking Ahead

The suspension of DeepSeek’s app downloads in South Korea underscores the increasing regulatory scrutiny faced by AI-powered services, particularly those originating from foreign jurisdictions with different data governance frameworks.

As AI-powered chatbots continue to grow in popularity, data privacy, security, and transparency will remain key considerations for governments and regulatory bodies worldwide. DeepSeek’s ability to implement necessary reforms will determine whether it can continue expanding in international markets without further restrictions.