South Korea’s recent suspension of DeepSeek's downloads raises alarms about data privacy and security, as the Chinese AI app dominates global charts.
South Korea Halts Downloads of Controversial AI App DeepSeek
South Korea Halts Downloads of Controversial AI App DeepSeek
Regulators temporarily suspend the DeepSeek app until compliance with data protection laws is assured.
The South Korean government has announced that it will temporarily suspend downloads for DeepSeek, a contentious artificial intelligence chatbot developed by the Chinese company that has quickly climbed the global app store rankings since its release last month. As of Monday night, DeepSeek was stripped from both the Apple and Google app stores in South Korea, although access through a web browser remains available. Authorities stated that the app's service would be reinstated once it is verified to adhere to the country's stringent data protection laws.
DeepSeek has gained significant traction worldwide, showcasing performance capabilities that reportedly rival leading offerings from American firms while being constructed at a considerably lower cost. The company's assertion of minimalist hardware utilization prompted a notable drop in U.S. tech stocks last month and ignited discussions surrounding the effectiveness of U.S. attempts to restrict China’s access to semiconductor technology.
Liang Wenfeng, the founder of DeepSeek, was recently spotlighted in China for the app's roaring success, meeting with high-ranking officials including President Xi Jinping. Nevertheless, this triumph has raised major concerns among regulators outside of China, particularly in South Korea, regarding the potential pitfalls related to data security, censorship, and the handling of sensitive information.
Recently, DeepSeek had surged in popularity in South Korea’s AI app sector, compelling the nation to advise government employees against using its products on official devices. Authorities in Taiwan and Australia have echoed these sentiments, restricting employee access to DeepSeek solutions due to growing security fears.
The South Korea Personal Information Protection Commission highlighted that issues had been found in the app's personal data processing, indicating that rectifications would require a significant duration of time. In response to these apprehensions, DeepSeek had appointed a local representative in South Korea a week prior.
Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, stated on Monday that the Chinese government mandates its companies to adhere to local laws during overseas operations and expressed hope that nations will not politicize economic and technological matters.
This unfolding saga poses profound questions surrounding the implications of AI technology development across national boundaries and the inherent risks associated with international operations.
Li You contributed research. Meaghan Tobin specializes in business and tech narratives in Asia, particularly focusing on China from Taipei. Jin Yu Young covers South Korea and global breaking news from Seoul.
DeepSeek has gained significant traction worldwide, showcasing performance capabilities that reportedly rival leading offerings from American firms while being constructed at a considerably lower cost. The company's assertion of minimalist hardware utilization prompted a notable drop in U.S. tech stocks last month and ignited discussions surrounding the effectiveness of U.S. attempts to restrict China’s access to semiconductor technology.
Liang Wenfeng, the founder of DeepSeek, was recently spotlighted in China for the app's roaring success, meeting with high-ranking officials including President Xi Jinping. Nevertheless, this triumph has raised major concerns among regulators outside of China, particularly in South Korea, regarding the potential pitfalls related to data security, censorship, and the handling of sensitive information.
Recently, DeepSeek had surged in popularity in South Korea’s AI app sector, compelling the nation to advise government employees against using its products on official devices. Authorities in Taiwan and Australia have echoed these sentiments, restricting employee access to DeepSeek solutions due to growing security fears.
The South Korea Personal Information Protection Commission highlighted that issues had been found in the app's personal data processing, indicating that rectifications would require a significant duration of time. In response to these apprehensions, DeepSeek had appointed a local representative in South Korea a week prior.
Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, stated on Monday that the Chinese government mandates its companies to adhere to local laws during overseas operations and expressed hope that nations will not politicize economic and technological matters.
This unfolding saga poses profound questions surrounding the implications of AI technology development across national boundaries and the inherent risks associated with international operations.
Li You contributed research. Meaghan Tobin specializes in business and tech narratives in Asia, particularly focusing on China from Taipei. Jin Yu Young covers South Korea and global breaking news from Seoul.
