February 15–17, 2025, Seoul, South Korea — DeepSeek, a rapidly popular Chinese chatbot AI, has been temporarily paused on app stores in South Korea. Authorities ordered its removal as the company works to address data privacy issues identified by regulators
Key Developments
- App Store Removal: On the evening of February 15, 2025, DeepSeek was taken down from both Apple’s App Store and Google Play in South Korea
- Scope: The suspension applies only to new downloads. Users who already have the app installed can continue using it via phones or PC access
Why It Happened
Excessive Personal Data Collection: South Korea’s National Intelligence Service found that DeepSeek was collecting extensive chat logs, keyboard input patterns (potentially identifying users), and transferring data to Chinese servers—raising national security alarms under Chinese law
Lack of Privacy Transparency: The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) criticized DeepSeek for lacking transparency in third-party data sharing and insufficient compliance with local privacy laws
Who Is Affected
Individuals: Existing users can still use the app but are advised to avoid entering sensitive personal data until the investigation concludes
Organizations: Many South Korean public agencies and private firms—including major enterprises—have blocked or prohibited DeepSeek usage on work devices
Popularity at Risk
Despite the regulatory pushback, DeepSeek was rapidly gaining traction in South Korea before the suspension. In just a few weeks, the app had amassed over 1.2 million smartphone users, making it the second most-used AI chatbot in the country after ChatGPT.
Its appeal was driven by:
- Natural Korean language support
- Speed and responsiveness
- A perception that it offered a free, powerful alternative to U.S.-based AI tools
However, the privacy investigation has cast a shadow over this rise. Major South Korean institutions—both public and private—are now discouraging use, and app store bans could slow or even reverse its momentum. DeepSeek’s future in South Korea, and potentially other markets, now hinges on how it addresses privacy transparency and aligns with local data protection laws.
A Cautionary Tale for Cross-Border AI
The DeepSeek episode is more than a local app takedown—it’s a flashpoint in the global debate over data privacy, national security, and the governance of AI tools.
As countries tighten scrutiny over where user data flows and how AI platforms operate, startups and tech giants alike must prioritize privacy-by-design and proactively comply with regional laws. For AI developers, the message is clear: innovation alone isn’t enough. Trust, transparency, and accountability are now non-negotiable—especially when your user base crosses borders.