South Korea has halted new downloads of the Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek due to concerns over personal data protection. The country’s Personal Information Protection Commission announced that the app was removed from Apple’s App Store and Google Play, restricting access to new users. Existing users can still use the chatbot or access it through DeepSeek’s website.
DeepSeek gained immense popularity in South Korea, reaching over a million weekly users soon after its launch. However, its rapid rise also triggered scrutiny from multiple governments over potential security risks. South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, called the chatbot a “shock” that could impact industries beyond artificial intelligence.
The ban follows restrictions imposed by various government agencies, which prohibited employees from installing the app on work devices. Other countries, including Taiwan and Australia, have also blocked DeepSeek on government devices, while Italy has temporarily banned it, demanding improvements in its privacy policies. In the US, lawmakers have proposed a bill to ban DeepSeek from federal devices, and states like Texas, Virginia, and New York have already introduced similar restrictions.
DeepSeek’s advanced AI model has been compared to top US chatbots like OpenAI’s offerings but operates at a fraction of the cost. This efficiency has raised questions about AI investment strategies worldwide, particularly in the US, where billions are being poured into AI development.
The future of DeepSeek in South Korea remains uncertain. Authorities have stated that the ban will be lifted once the app complies with local privacy laws. As AI technology continues to evolve, global regulations and security concerns are likely to shape its accessibility in different markets.
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