DeepSeek app banned from downloading in South Korea

Earlier this month, it became known that South Korean government agencies had begun blocking access to the Chinese AI app DeepSeek. Now, the ban on downloading this app has been extended to all users in South Korea, as DeepSeek’s methods of handling personal data do not comply with local laws.

Image source: Unsplash, Solen Feyissa

This was reported by Reuters with reference to the Personal Information Protection Commission of South Korea (PIPC). The commission’s investigation revealed that DeepSeek does not comply with a number of South Korean authorities’ requirements for the processing, storage, and protection of personal data. As soon as the Chinese company brings its operating methods into line with the requirements of South Korean law, the ban on downloading the DeepSeek application will be lifted. Even now, direct access to the DeepSeek infrastructure is not restricted for most users in South Korea; it is just not possible to re-download the application.

Last week, DeepSeek’s legal representatives began working in South Korea, and local regulators found out that the Chinese company was neglecting a number of South Korean legal requirements regarding the protection of personal data. As is known, Italy blocked DeepSeek’s work on its territory last month. At the same time, representatives of the PRC Foreign Ministry claim that the country’s authorities do not force private companies or individuals to collect or store information in violation of the laws of other countries, and would never do so. The Chinese authorities have great respect for data privacy and protect it with the help of local laws.