DeepSeek removed from South Korea app stores pending privacy review

South Korean authorities have temporarily suspended the availability of the Chinese AI app DeepSeek for download while conducting a review of its data handling practices.

DeepSeek’s R1 chatbot recently gained international attention for delivering performance on par with its Western counterparts at a much lower cost. However, concerns have been raised in multiple countries regarding the storage of user data, which DeepSeek confirms is kept on “secure servers located in the People’s Republic of China.”

On Monday, Seoul's Personal Information Protection Commission announced that DeepSeek would remain unavailable for new downloads until its compliance with South Korea’s data privacy regulations is fully assessed. The Chinese company acknowledged that it had not sufficiently accounted for local privacy laws, the commission stated.

The agency further noted that aligning the app with South Korean regulations would take considerable time. To mitigate growing concerns, it recommended that DeepSeek voluntarily suspend its services while implementing necessary adjustments—a proposal that the company has accepted.

Limited Access and Caution Advised
As of Saturday at 6:00 p.m. (0900 GMT), DeepSeek has been removed from app stores in South Korea. However, those who had already downloaded the chatbot can continue using it.

The data protection commission has strongly advised users to exercise caution, recommending that they avoid entering personal information into the app until the review is complete.

Cybersecurity expert Youm Heung-youl, a professor at Soonchunhyang University, told AFP that DeepSeek has yet to implement a privacy policy tailored specifically for South Korean users. In contrast, the company has already detailed privacy policies for the European Union and other regions, asserting compliance with those jurisdictions’ laws.

"DeepSeek needs to establish a privacy policy specific to Korea," Youm emphasized.

Global Scrutiny and Restrictions
Earlier this month, several South Korean government agencies and police departments blocked access to DeepSeek on their official computers. Other nations have also taken action against the AI chatbot due to security concerns:

Italy has launched an investigation into DeepSeek’s R1 model and banned it from processing data from Italian users.
Australia has prohibited the use of DeepSeek on all government devices following security agency recommendations.
The United States is considering a legislative proposal to ban the app from government devices over data security fears.
China has responded to the growing restrictions by condemning what it calls the "politicization of economic, trade, and technological issues." Beijing has maintained that it does not and will not compel businesses or individuals to collect or store data illegally.