Korean DeepSeek users' data sent to ByteDance: data watchdog

China's AI model downloads temporarily blocked in South Korea over privacy concerns

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Korea’s data watchdog announced on Monday that new downloads of the artificial intelligence (AI) app from DeepSeek have been temporarily halted. The Chinese company voluntarily implemented the measure after recognizing that it had not fully considered domestic privacy laws, which led to user data being leaked to ByteDance, the Beijing-based parent company of TikTok.

The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) announced that downloads of the app were suspended at 6 p.m. on Saturday and will be reinstated once improvements are made in compliance with the country's Personal Information Protection Act.

The move drew a quick response from Beijing, which urged "relevant countries" to refrain from politicizing technology.

While there have been cases in other countries of governments blocking the app, this seems to be the first occasion in which the company has voluntarily suspended the service, according to the PIPC.

“During the service suspension period, we will closely examine the DeepSeek AI model’s personal data processing to ensure better compliance with the country’s privacy law and address concerns about data privacy,” Choi Jang-hyuk, vice chairman of PIPC, said at a press briefing.

However, DeepSeek remains available to users who had already downloaded the app or are using the web version.

“For those who have already downloaded the app or are using it through an internet browser, we strongly advise them to use the service with caution until the final results are announced,” Choi said.

The PIPC sent an inquiry in late January to DeepSeek’s headquarters in China, requesting details on data collection, processing and storage methods.

The commission's own analysis also found the service did not fully meet the nation's privacy laws, with user information being sent to ByteDance, the operator of TikTok. It said futher investigation is needed to find out why DeepSeek is linked to ByteDance and why the information is sent.

DeepSeek then acknowledged these and promised active cooperation with the PIPC. But the commission, concluding the service improvements would take considerable time, recommended the company suspend the service first until it can complete improvements — which DeepSeek accepted, according to the PIPC.

DeepSeek has raised security concerns in several countries due to allegations that it collects and stores user device information, IP addresses and even keyboard input patterns on servers in China during the AI learning process.

As a result, government ministries and police have banned its use on government-owned devices. The ministries responsible for particularly sensitive information, such as the foreign and defense ministries, were quick to impose the restriction.

Major conglomerates in Korea have also blocked the AI service.

Hyundai Motor Group joined the move earlier this month, prohibiting its affiliates from using the service for security reasons. Employees from other major tech firms, such as Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and SK hynix, are also not allowed to use DeepSeek's R1 AI model on their laptops and desktops. Financial firms have also followed suit, with Korea’s four major banking groups — KB, Shinhan, Hana and Woori — blocking access to R1.

Korea joins several other countries in prohibiting government access to DeepSeek. These restrictions vary from outright bans on government devices and systems to warnings and guidelines discouraging its use, often driven by concerns over data collection and transmission to China.

"In Italy, the authorities blocked the service immediately after its launch,” said Nam Suk, director-general for investigation and coordination at PIPC.

Italy blocked downloads of DeepSeek from Apple and Google app stores in late January to protect citizens’ data. Australia and Taiwan also banned DeepSeek from all government devices on the advice of security agencies.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson addressed the issue directly during a regular press briefing on Monday.

"We hope relevant countries will avoid taking measures that overstretch the concept of security or politicize trade and technology issues," spokesperson Guo Jiakun said.

The Chinese Embassy in Seoul declined to comment further on the issue, with one official stating, “I don’t think we have anything to add beyond the spokesperson’s statement.”

Korea's foreign ministry said Beijing has not officially raised any complaints about the matter.