DeepSeek is being banned by South Korea, Italy, and Australia

 

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI app, has been banned in South Korea due to data protection concerns. Following a significant backlash against the chatbot, which recently overtook OpenAI's ChatGPT to become the most popular AI app in the US, the decision was made. Security, privacy, and ethical concerns have arisen as a result of the app's sudden popularity, including its refusal to answer questions about the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.

 

DeepSeek's new downloads will be blocked by the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) while it reviews how the app handles users' personal data. According to the PIPC, DeepSeek acknowledged that there were some shortcomings in domestic privacy laws. The commission recommended temporarily suspending DeepSeek's service while making necessary improvements to prevent further concerns from spreading.

 

The restriction is designed to prevent new downloads of the app in South Korea, but its web-based service is still accessible. According to the PIPC, the Chinese startup has recently hired legal representatives in South Korea and admitted to not being attentive to certain aspects of the country's data protection laws.

 

Other countries have taken similar actions in response to the move. Last month, DeepSeek was ordered by Italy's data protection authority, the Garante, to stop providing chatbot services in the country due to privacy concerns. Australia has prohibited all DeepSeek products from being used on government devices, stating that they pose a 'national security risk'.

 

DeepSeek has not yet responded to requests for comments. When asked about South Korea’s decision, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson stated on February 6 that the Chinese government “attaches great importance to data privacy and security and protects it in accordance with the law.” The spokesperson asserted that Beijing does not mandate companies or individuals to collect or store data that is in violation of privacy laws.

 

The crackdown on DeepSeek is also gaining traction in the US, where lawmakers recently introduced a bill that would ban Americans from using the app or interacting with any AI technologies developed in China. If the law is passed, violators could face punishments of up to 20 years in jail.