South Korea’s Data Protection Agency Takes Action Against DeepSeek

SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s data protection authority announced that Chinese AI startup DeepSeek transferred user information and prompts without permission when the app was available in the country’s app market.

DeepSeek did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

The Personal Information Protection Commission stated that Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co. Ltd. did not obtain user consent while transferring personal information to various companies in China and the United States at the time of its South Korean launch in January.

In February, South Korea’s data agency suspended new downloads of the DeepSeek app after the company acknowledged failing to consider some of the agency’s personal data protection rules.

The data protection agency said on Thursday that DeepSeek sent AI prompt content entered by users to Beijing Volcano Engine Technology Co. Ltd., along with device, network, and app information.

DeepSeek later informed the agency that the decision to send information to Volcano Engine was aimed at improving user experience and that it had blocked the transfer of AI prompt content from April 10.

The agency has decided to issue a corrective recommendation for DeepSeek to immediately remove the AI prompt content transferred to Volcano Engine and establish a legal basis for transferring personal information abroad.

In response to South Korea’s announcement, China’s Foreign Ministry said that the Chinese government has not and will never ask companies to collect and store data illegally.