South Korea has taken decisive action against Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, removing the app from major platforms amid concerns over data privacy and potential links to ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok.
The country’s data protection regulator, the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC), confirmed to Yonhap News Agency that it had detected communications between DeepSeek and ByteDance. However, it has not yet determined what user data, if any, was transferred between the two companies.
The move follows growing global scrutiny over DeepSeek, an AI-powered chatbot that made headlines in January for its competitive advancements in artificial intelligence. The app’s rapid rise, which saw it briefly dominate app store rankings worldwide, has since been overshadowed by increasing concerns about user privacy and data security.
South Korea’s decision to remove DeepSeek from Apple and Google’s app stores came after more than a million downloads in the country. While existing users can still access the app through a web browser, the regulator has warned individuals to exercise caution and avoid entering sensitive personal information.
South Korea joins a growing list of countries, including Australia and Taiwan, that have restricted DeepSeek over security concerns. The latest findings suggest that DeepSeek may be integrated with ByteDance’s analytics and data infrastructure, raising fears that user information could be accessible to Chinese entities.
A report published on February 10 by US cybersecurity firm Security Scorecard highlighted potential risks, pointing to “multiple direct references” to ByteDance services within DeepSeek’s Android app. It also claimed that some data was being transmitted to domains linked to Chinese state-owned entities.
These concerns echo broader geopolitical tensions surrounding data privacy and Chinese tech firms. Critics argue that China’s National Intelligence Law could compel companies to share data with the government, though ByteDance has consistently denied that it provides access to user data.
DeepSeek’s parent company, High Flyer, has reportedly cooperated with South Korean regulators and acknowledged shortcomings in its compliance with local privacy laws. Despite this, the PIPC cited “insufficient transparency” in DeepSeek’s privacy policies and evidence of third-party data transfers.
The controversy surrounding DeepSeek has added to the ongoing debate over data security in AI applications, particularly as governments worldwide grapple with regulating rapidly evolving technology. Meanwhile, the United States continues to deliberate over TikTok’s future, with a ban on the app currently paused until April 5 as officials seek a resolution.
The BBC has reached out to the PIPC, ByteDance, and High Flyer for further comment on the investigation and its implications for DeepSeek’s global operations.
