DeepSeek is once again available for download in South Korea following its suspension
The protection commission states that the app transferred user data and prompts without consent when it was initially launched.
SEOUL: The Chinese artificial intelligence service DeepSeek reappeared on South Korean app markets on Monday after a hiatus of nearly two months, during which downloads were halted due to violations of data protection regulations.
On Thursday, South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission announced that DeepSeek had improperly transferred user data and prompts without consent when it initially launched in South Korea in January.
The app’s download was halted in February due to concerns regarding personal data protection. However, it has since been made available again in South Korea’s app marketplace, including on Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store.
In an updated privacy policy statement related to the app, DeepSeek assured users, “We handle your personal information in accordance with Korea’s Personal Information Protection Act.”
DeepSeek also indicated that users can opt out of sharing their personal information with several companies based in China and the United States.
As of Monday, DeepSeek had not yet provided a response to a request for comment. South Korea’s data protection agency noted that DeepSeek voluntarily decided to reinstate the app for download, having taken steps to partially follow the agency’s recommendations.
