South Korea’s industry ministry has temporarily restricted employee access to the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, citing security concerns. This move comes amid growing government caution over using generative AI tools.
Government Issues Caution for AI Use in Ministries
On Tuesday, South Korea’s government issued a notice urging ministries and agencies to exercise caution when using AI services like DeepSeek and ChatGPT. The warning highlights increasing concerns around data security and privacy in government operations.
State-run Organizations Take Action Against DeepSeek
Earlier this month, state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power blocked the use of DeepSeek and other AI services. The Ministry of Defense also restricted access to DeepSeek on military computers, while the foreign ministry limited its use to systems connected to external networks.
DeepSeek Faces Scrutiny From Global Authorities
This is part of a wider global response to DeepSeek. Australia and Taiwan have banned the AI service from government devices this week, citing security risks. In January, Italy’s data protection authority ordered DeepSeek to block its chatbot over unresolved privacy concerns. Other nations, including those in Europe, the U.S., and India, are also examining the implications of using DeepSeek.
Privacy Concerns and Investigations into Data Management
South Korea’s privacy watchdog is now planning to inquire about DeepSeek’s management of personal data, particularly how it handles user information, which remains a key issue in the ongoing global debate about generative AI services.
Korean Tech Companies Limit Use of Generative AI
DeepSeek made waves last month with the launch of its latest AI models, claiming they outperform U.S. products at a fraction of the cost. In response, several South Korean tech giants, including Kakao Corp, have advised employees to refrain from using DeepSeek due to security concerns. Kakao recently partnered with OpenAI, a major player in generative AI.
Additionally, SK Hynix and Naver have both implemented restrictions on the use of generative AI services. These companies are limiting access to ensure their data remains secure.
Read More: Italy Bans DeepSeek But Banning AI Model is Harder Than You Think
