South Korea Bans DeepSeek AI Chatbot Over Privacy Concerns
South Korea bans new downloads of China's DeepSeek AI 🔗
South Korea has banned new downloads of the DeepSeek AI chatbot due to privacy concerns, following scrutiny from various countries regarding its data handling practices. The country's Personal Information Protection Commission removed the app from major platforms after government agencies prohibited employees from using it on work devices. DeepSeek's rapid rise in popularity, reaching over a million weekly users, raised alarms about potential impacts on national security and privacy. Other countries, including Taiwan, Australia, and Italy, have also imposed restrictions on the app, emphasizing the need for improvements to its privacy policy before it can be reinstated in app stores.
What led to South Korea's ban on DeepSeek?
South Korea banned DeepSeek due to privacy concerns raised by its personal data protection agency, which stated that the app must make improvements to comply with local data protection laws.
Can users who already have DeepSeek continue to use it?
Yes, users who have already downloaded DeepSeek can continue to use the app or access it through its website, despite the ban on new downloads.
What are some other countries that have restricted DeepSeek?
Aside from South Korea, countries like Taiwan, Australia, and Italy have also restricted or banned DeepSeek on government devices due to concerns over privacy and national security.