Seoul, February 17, 2025 — South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) has suspended new downloads of the Chinese AI app DeepSeek, citing violations of the country’s data protection laws. The suspension, effective since Saturday, prevents new users from downloading the app, though existing users can continue to access its services.
DeepSeek has admitted to lapses in complying with South Korean privacy regulations and has appointed legal representatives to address the issue. The company has committed to making necessary changes to align with local privacy standards. This move follows similar actions taken by other countries, including Italy, where the app was blocked over privacy concerns.
