Earlier this month, South Korean government agencies began blocking access to the Chinese AI app DeepSeek. Now, the ban has been extended to all users in South Korea due to the app’s non-compliance with local data protection laws.
According to Reuters, citing the Personal Information Protection Commission of South Korea (PIPC), an investigation revealed that DeepSeek does not meet several legal requirements regarding the processing, storage, and protection of personal data. The ban on downloading the app will remain in place until the Chinese company updates its data handling practices to align with South Korean regulations. However, most users in South Korea can still access DeepSeek’s infrastructure directly; only the app’s re-download is restricted.
DeepSeek Faces Growing Scrutiny
Last week, DeepSeek’s legal representatives began operations in South Korea, prompting local regulators to investigate the company’s compliance with data protection laws. Authorities found that the Chinese company disregards several legal obligations related to personal data security. This follows a similar move by Italy, which blocked DeepSeek last month over similar concerns.
Despite these actions, the Chinese Foreign Ministry asserts that China does not force private companies or individuals to collect or store data in violation of foreign laws, notes NIXsolutions. Officials emphasize their commitment to data privacy, stating that China respects and upholds data protection regulations through its own legal framework.
For now, DeepSeek remains blocked in South Korea, but we’ll keep you updated as more developments unfold.