South Korea Temporarily Halts DeepSeek App Downloads Amid Data Concerns

South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) has temporarily suspended DeepSeek’s availability in the country’s app stores while it investigates the Chinese company’s data processing practices.

In a statement released on February 17, the PIPC confirmed that DeepSeek had voluntarily agreed to suspend new downloads as of February 15 and to cooperate with the commission to improve privacy protections before the app is relaunched.

Although the suspension limits new downloads, existing users can continue using DeepSeek’s services. However, the commission has advised users to exercise caution until the results of the investigation are made public.

The PIPC emphasized its goal to “closely inspect the personal information processing practices of DeepSeek during the suspension period, improve compliance with protection laws, and address concerns about the safeguarding of our citizens’ personal information.”

DeepSeek, which launched its AI-powered chatbot on January 27, raised concerns among regulators and privacy experts regarding its potential national security risks, sparking discussions about data security. Additionally, the app’s release coincided with a downturn in the U.S. stock and cryptocurrency markets.

PIPC Begins Audit on DeepSeek’s Data Handling Practices

The PIPC initiated an audit following the launch of DeepSeek’s chatbot and has requested details from the company on how it collects and processes personal data.

“Through our analysis, we identified some issues with the communication functions and personal data processing policies involving third-party service providers, as reported by both domestic and international media,” the PIPC said.

As part of its investigation, the PIPC will conduct on-site inspections to ensure compliance with South Korea’s data protection laws and assess how DeepSeek handles the personal data of its users.

The agency also plans to propose improvements to ensure that DeepSeek meets the country’s legal requirements and intends to offer guidance to other AI companies to prevent similar issues in the future.

Last year, the PIPC conducted preliminary inspections of six AI companies in the country, a process that took about five months.

“This inspection is focused on a single operator and is expected to progress more swiftly, thanks to accumulated experience and knowledge,” the agency concluded.

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