South Korea has banned new downloads of China’s DeepSeek AI chatbot pending compliance with data protection laws. DeepSeek’s popularity surged, leading to government scrutiny and similar bans in other countries. Users who already downloaded the app can still access it, while concerns continue regarding China’s advancements in AI technology and privacy issues.
South Korea has officially prohibited new downloads of the DeepSeek AI chatbot developed by China, as announced by the nation’s personal data protection authority. The agency stated that the chatbot will be reinstated for South Korean users once necessary adjustments are implemented to comply with local data protection regulations. Following its recent rise in popularity, during which it topped app rankings with over one million users weekly, DeepSeek garnered international scrutiny regarding privacy and national security issues.
Effective from Saturday evening, the DeepSeek app was removed from both the Apple App Store and Google Play in South Korea. This action was taken after multiple South Korean governmental bodies imposed bans on their staff utilizing the chatbot on official devices. Acting President Choi Sang-mok expressed significant concerns, describing DeepSeek’s impact as a potential “shock” to various industries in his country, extending beyond merely the AI sector.
Currently, individuals who have already downloaded the DeepSeek app are permitted to continue its usage or access the service through its official website. DeepSeek’s recent development has substantially impacted the global technology landscape, leading several countries, including Taiwan and Australia, to implement bans on the application for government use. In the United States, legislators have proposed federal restrictions against DeepSeek due to apprehensions regarding surveillance activities.
The capabilities of DeepSeek’s large language model are reported to match those of prominent US models, such as OpenAI’s, but at a significantly lower operational cost. This has sparked discussions about the substantial investments being made in artificial intelligence infrastructure in the United States and other countries. Overall, the situation signifies a growing tension concerning international AI applications and their implications for national security and data privacy.
In summary, South Korea has prohibited new downloads of China’s DeepSeek AI due to privacy and security concerns. The app’s popularity, which surged to over a million users weekly, has led to scrutiny from numerous other countries, highlighting a global trend in regulating AI-related technologies. Ongoing discussions revolve around the competitive dynamics between international AI models, particularly between the U.S. and China.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
