Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/18/south_korea_deepseek_ban/
Source: The Register
Title: DeepSeek disappears from South Korean app stores over privacy concerns
Feedly Summary: Nation also orders thousands of GPUs to advance local AI smarts
South Korea suspends DeepSeek, which vows to return in better shape Nation also orders enough GPUs to train many more LLMs South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission has suspended local availability of apps from Chinese LLM-and-chatbot developer DeepSeek.…
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: South Korea has officially suspended the availability of the DeepSeek LLM app due to violations of local privacy laws regarding personal information. This action reflects ongoing government scrutiny of AI applications, particularly regarding data privacy, while the nation simultaneously enhances its own AI infrastructure by ordering additional GPUs.
Detailed Description:
The recent suspension of DeepSeek in South Korea underscores significant concerns regarding AI security and privacy compliance within the region. The actions taken by the South Korean government indicate a focused effort to safeguard personal information while promoting local advancements in AI technology.
– **Suspension of DeepSeek**:
– The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) in South Korea has banned DeepSeek, a Chinese LLM and chatbot app, from local app stores due to breaches of privacy laws.
– Concerns were raised about the app’s collection of extensive personal information, sharing data with advertisers, and its use of user input in training its models.
– **Investigation and Compliance**:
– A domestic agent for DeepSeek has shown willingness to cooperate with the PIPC to address privacy concerns, although an on-site inspection is a prerequisite for discussions.
– The agency’s warning to citizens regarding cautious usage of DeepSeek emphasizes ongoing public safety and data privacy efforts.
– **Regional and Global Implications**:
– Several nations, including Italy, have implemented stringent restrictions on DeepSeek, reflecting a broader global trend towards regulating AI technologies.
– South Korea’s approach to investigate the app more promptly than previous inquiries into larger companies suggests a shift towards stricter compliance for foreign AI developers operating locally.
– **Infrastructure Development**:
– In conjunction with the app’s suspension, South Korea’s Ministry of Strategy and Finance announced plans to acquire 10,000 GPUs by 2026 to bolster local AI research capabilities.
– This initiative is part of a larger strategy to enhance the nation’s AI infrastructure, drawing comparisons to significant investments by other global players, but with much more modest goals in terms of GPU acquisition.
In summary, this situation highlights the delicate balance between fostering innovation in AI and maintaining rigorous standards for privacy and information security, particularly as governments worldwide navigate the complexities of rapidly evolving technologies.