South Korea Halts DeepSeek AI Downloads Over Data Privacy Concerns

Government watchdog enforces ban until compliance measures are met / Getty Images

South Korea has officially suspended new downloads of DeepSeek AI, a Chinese-developed artificial intelligence chatbot, citing concerns over personal data protection laws. The decision was announced by the country’s Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC), which stated that DeepSeek will only be reinstated once it meets the necessary compliance and security improvements.

The chatbot’s rapid ascent to popularity in South Korea came in the wake of its global success, amassing over a million weekly users and topping app store rankings. However, this meteoric rise also triggered scrutiny from multiple governments, leading to bans and restrictions due to privacy risks and national security threats.

DeepSeek AI Banned from South Korean App Stores

The PIPC confirmed that as of Saturday evening, DeepSeek AI was no longer available for download on Apple’s App Store and Google Play in South Korea. Despite this restriction, existing users can continue utilizing the app, and web-based access remains functional for those who already have DeepSeek installed on their devices.

The South Korean government’s crackdown followed an earlier decision by several governmental agencies, which prohibited employees from downloading DeepSeek AI on their work devices due to security concerns. Acting President Choi Sang-mok addressed the issue, referring to DeepSeek as a "shock" to the nation’s technology and industry sectors beyond artificial intelligence.

Global Governments Increasing Scrutiny on DeepSeek AI

The concerns surrounding DeepSeek AI are not limited to South Korea. Several countries have taken similar actions to limit the app’s accessibility:

• Taiwan and Australia have imposed outright bans on DeepSeek AI usage on all government devices.
• Italy, known for previously restricting ChatGPT in 2023, has also temporarily blocked DeepSeek AI, requiring the company to revise its privacy policies before reappearing on app stores.
• The United States is considering legislation to ban DeepSeek from federal government devices, with states like Texas, Virginia, and New York already implementing such restrictions at the state level.

These developments reflect the growing international anxiety over the security implications of foreign AI technologies. DeepSeek's ability to operate with lower computational costs compared to leading U.S.-based AI models, such as OpenAI’s GPT-4, has further fueled concerns regarding AI infrastructure investments in the West.

DeepSeek’s Future in South Korea and Beyond

The South Korean government has stated that the ban is temporary and that DeepSeek AI may be reinstated once it implements the required privacy and data security measures. The PIPC emphasized that ensuring compliance with the nation’s stringent data protection regulations is essential before allowing the chatbot to resume operations within South Korea.

As AI continues to evolve, governments worldwide are likely to impose stricter regulations on foreign-developed AI tools to safeguard user data and national security. The ongoing controversy surrounding DeepSeek AI highlights the broader challenges of balancing technological innovation with regulatory oversight in an increasingly AI-driven world.