Written by Lisa Murimi
South Korea has prohibited new downloads of China’s DeepSeek artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot due to concerns over personal data protection.
The country’s Personal Information Protection Commission announced that the AI model would be reinstated once it meets South Korea’s privacy regulations.
DeepSeek gained massive popularity in South Korea following its global debut, amassing over a million weekly users.
However, its rapid rise also attracted scrutiny from multiple governments over security and privacy concerns.
South Korean authorities further tightened restrictions, banning government employees from downloading the chatbot on work devices.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok described DeepSeek as a “shock” that could affect industries beyond AI.
Although new downloads are blocked, existing users can continue using the app or access it via the DeepSeek website.
South Korea is not alone in restricting DeepSeek. Australia, Taiwan, and Italy have also banned the AI chatbot on government devices, citing national security risks.
In the US, lawmakers have proposed a bill to prohibit its use on federal devices, with states like Texas, Virginia, and New York already implementing restrictions.
DeepSeek’s rapid growth and its cost-effective AI model have raised questions about global AI investment strategies and US technological leadership.
