South Korea Halts Downloads of Controversial Chinese AI App DeepSeek

The Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek, which has gained immense popularity globally, faces scrutiny in South Korea over privacy concerns.

 

In a move that sent shockwaves through the tech industry, the South Korean government announced on Monday it would temporarily prohibit new downloads of the Chinese-developed artificial intelligence chatbot, DeepSeek. The suspension follows concerns related to the app's compliance with the country’s stringent data protection laws. As of Monday night, DeepSeek was removed from both the Apple and Google app stores in South Korea; however, users could still access it via web browsers.

Since its debut last month, DeepSeek has skyrocketed to the top of app charts globally, boasting impressive A.I. capabilities that rival established American products yet at a significantly lower cost, according to the company. DeepSeek’s strategic decisions concerning the use of less expensive computer chips than typically employed in A.I. development have caused noteworthy declines in U.S. tech stock values, raising questions about the effectiveness of American efforts to hinder China’s access to essential technologies.

The surge in popularity of DeepSeek has propelled the company into the limelight, garnering recognition as a significant player in China's tech ecosystem. Notably, DeepSeek’s founder, Liang Wenfeng, had a high-profile meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week alongside other tech luminaries.

Despite its success, regulators outside of China are raising alarms about potential risks associated with DeepSeek, including issues of security, censorship, and the management of sensitive data. The app recently emerged as a top download in South Korea's A.I. category, prompting government directives for employees to refrain from using DeepSeek's products on official devices.

Additional concerns have echoed in Taiwan and Australia, where government employees were similarly warned against using DeepSeek’s offerings. The South Korean Personal Information Protection Commission has disclosed critical findings regarding the app’s handling of personal information, stating it would be an extensive process to rectify these issues. In response, DeepSeek appointed a local representative in South Korea last week to engage with authorities.

The Chinese government maintains that local firms must comply with laws when operating internationally. Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, urged countries not to politicize technology or trade matters in relation to DeepSeek's operation.

Contributing to this report, Li You provided additional research support.