South Korea blocks access to Chinese AI Startup DeepSeek from work computers

DeepSeek did not respond to request regarding its user information management practices

Web Desk

06 Feb, 2025

Technology

Deepseek logo is seen in this illustration taken, January 27, 2025. Reuters

South Korean ministries and police announced they are blocking the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from accessing work computers on Thursday (today).

This action comes after DeepSeek did not respond to a request from South Korea’s data watchdog regarding its user information management practices.

South Korea, along with France and Italy, has raised concerns about DeepSeek’s data practices and submitted a formal request for information on how the company handles user data.

Due to DeepSeek’s failure to reply to the inquiry, multiple ministries confirmed they are taking measures to restrict access to prevent potential leaks of sensitive information via generative AI services.

“Blocking measures for DeepSeek have been implemented specifically for military work-related PCs with Internet,” a defence ministry official told AFP.

“The ministry, which oversees active-duty soldiers deployed against the nuclear-armed North, has also “reiterated the security precautions regarding the use of generative AI for each unit and soldier, taking into account security and technical concerns,” it added.

South Korean police informed that they have blocked access to DeepSeek, while the trade ministry announced that access has been temporarily restricted on all its computers.

The trade ministry stated that DeepSeek “has not responded to the Personal Information Protection Commission’s inquiry.”

Additionally, the finance ministry said that it has “implemented measures to prevent the leakage of personal and confidential information to DeepSeek for all employees.”

Last week, Italy initiated an investigation into DeepSeek’s R1 model and prohibited it from processing data from Italian users.

Australia has similarly banned DeepSeek from all government devices based on recommendations from security agencies.

DeepSeek introduced its R1 chatbot last month, asserting that it rivals the capabilities of leading artificial intelligence systems in the United States at a significantly lower cost, disrupting the global industry.

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