DeepSeek is back on track to assist South Koreans in problem-solving, image generating, script writing, and all they need the chatbot for. The AI platform was suspended from download by South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) due to users’ data breach on 15 February. After two months, the authorities have resumed the app for download. The app is available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store. 

DeepSeek Transferred Personal Data and Prompts 

On 24 April, PIPC revealed that the Chinese startup DeepSeek breached data protection rules by transferring personal data and prompts of users without their consent. The revelation came after months of regulatory scrutiny following the chatbot’s January debut in the South Korean market. The commission official, Nam Seok, told the  media

“Initially, DeepSeek transferred personal data to companies located in China and the United States without obtaining users’ consent or disclosing this in the privacy policy at the time the service was launched.” 

PIPC found that DeepSeek transferred data to three companies in China and one in the US without taking the consent of the users. 

DeepSeek’s partially revised information processing policy

DeepSeek announced that it has established a separate supplementary regulation for South Korea. According to this new information processing policy, users’ data will be processed in compliance with the South Korean Personal Information Protection Act. In the revised privacy policy note, DeepSeek stated 

“We process your personal information in compliance with the Personal Information Protection Act of Korea,” 

After this revised policy, users can refuse to allow the transfer of personal information to Chinese and US companies. DeepSeek has not yet responded to a request for comment.

South Korea Looking to Develop Its Own AI Platform

As the global tech industry is moving toward AI technology, South Korea also pledges to enter this domain by investing in research and development (R&D). The acting South Korean President Choi Sang-mok recently expressed his vision to position South Korea among the top three AI powerhouses. The government is aiming to foster public-private partnerships in this domain.  

Notably, South Korea consistently ranks in the top tech indexes. In 2023, the country ranked No. 1 in advanced technologies by Global Finance due to its advancements in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and green technology.