South Korea Joins Italy In Halting DeepSeek Downloads Amid Global Privacy Concerns

South Korea has joined Italy in halting downloads of the Chinese AI chatbot app DeepSeek, citing privacy concerns and a lack of transparency in data handling practices. The move comes as part of a broader global scrutiny of the app, with several countries investigating its data collection and storage methods.

On Saturday evening, South Korea's Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) removed DeepSeek's apps from the local versions of Apple's App Store and Google Play. The company agreed to work with the commission to strengthen privacy protections before relaunching the apps. The action does not affect users who have already downloaded DeepSeek on their phones or use it on personal computers.

Nam Seok, director of the PIPC's investigation division, advised South Korean users of DeepSeek to delete the app from their devices or avoid entering personal information into the tool until the issues are resolved. Many South Korean government agencies and companies have either blocked DeepSeek from their networks or prohibited employees from using it for work, amid worries that the AI model was gathering too much sensitive information.

The South Korean privacy commission, which began reviewing DeepSeek's services last month, found that the company lacked transparency about third-party data transfers and potentially collected excessive personal information. Nam said the commission did not have an estimate on the number of DeepSeek users in South Korea. A recent analysis by Wiseapp Retail found that about 1.2 million smartphone users in the country used DeepSeek during the fourth week of January, making it the second-most-popular AI model behind ChatGPT.

Italy was the first nation to prohibit DeepSeek AI, citing significant concerns about user data protection. In late January, the country's Data Protection Authority, Garante, launched an investigation into DeepSeek's compliance with EU data protection laws. Regulators determined that DeepSeek's response to the inquiry was inadequate, prompting Italian authorities to block access to the app and remove it from Apple and Google app stores.

In an official statement, regulators disclosed that DeepSeek had asserted it did not operate in Italy and claimed that European legislation did not apply to its services. However, the Data Protection Authority proceeded with both a processing limitation order and a formal investigation into the company's practices.

Taiwan's Ministry of Digital Affairs has also prohibited the use of DeepSeek AI within government agencies, extending the ban to state-owned businesses and public schools. The ministry justified its decision by stating that DeepSeek, as a Chinese-developed product, posed risks related to cross-border data transmission and potential information leaks. Regulators emphasized that the app's operation involved multiple cybersecurity concerns, reinforcing the government's stance on safeguarding national information security.

Australia has similarly barred government employees from using DeepSeek AI due to security risks. The decision followed a directive from the Department of Home Affairs, which ordered the removal and prevention of DeepSeek products across all government systems and devices. While the restriction does not extend to private citizens, the Minister of Home Affairs urged Australians to be vigilant about their online data security and exercise caution in their digital interactions. The Home Affairs Secretary justified the ban by stating that, after conducting a thorough risk assessment, the use of DeepSeek products, applications, and web services was deemed an unacceptable security threat to the Australian government.

As more countries reevaluate their policies on Chinese-built AI technologies, DeepSeek continues to face mounting regulatory challenges, with further restrictions likely to follow. If DeepSeek fails to provide satisfactory transparency regarding its data practices, it risks being blacklisted in key global markets. In response to the controversy, DeepSeek may have to implement stricter data privacy measures and comply with international regulations to regain trust. Whether it can successfully navigate these challenges remains to be seen.

The circumstances surrounding DeepSeek highlight the greater ethical and geopolitical discussion surrounding AI technology. An arms race in artificial intelligence is underway, with the US, Europe, and China vying for supremacy. But as AI tools become more sophisticated, worries about security, privacy, and possible abuse intensify. Italy's ruling might serve as a model for other countries, urging more stringent laws against AI programs that don't reveal their data practices. Governments, corporations, and consumers will need to balance innovation and privacy protection as AI develops further.