- South Korea blocks DeepSeek access over data security concerns.
- Several countries, including Italy and Australia, have imposed similar restrictions.
- China defends DeepSeek, rejecting accusations of illegal data collection.
South Korean ministries and police have blocked access to the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, following its failure to respond to a request from the country’s data watchdog regarding user information management.
This move comes after DeepSeek’s chatbot, R1, launched last month and gained attention for its cost-effective capabilities, rivaling U.S. AI models.
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South Korea, along with other countries like France and Italy, had previously requested information on how DeepSeek handles user data.
However, after the company failed to provide a response, the South Korean government took action, restricting access to DeepSeek’s services, especially for sensitive work-related systems.
“Blocking measures have been implemented specifically for military-related PCs with Internet access,” a defense ministry official told AFP.
The ministry also emphasized security precautions for military personnel using generative AI. The police, trade, finance, and foreign ministries confirmed that they too had blocked the application or imposed restrictions on its use.
Italy, Australia, and other nations have also taken steps to limit DeepSeek’s access. Italy launched an investigation into DeepSeek’s R1 model, while Australia banned it from government devices due to security concerns.
Kim Jong-hwa, an AI professor at Cheju Halla University, stated that while political factors might influence these reactions, the bans are justified due to unresolved security risks in AI models.
“We cannot assess how much attention DeepSeek has paid to security concerns, so proactive measures are not excessive,” he said.
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China has responded, with a foreign ministry spokesperson asserting that the government does not require companies to illegally collect or store data and opposes the politicization of technological issues.
As AI competition intensifies, South Korea is investing heavily in the semiconductor sector, aiming to remain competitive amidst growing global rivalries.
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