South Korea says DeepSeek shares data with TikTok
South Korea Accuses Chinese AI Startup DeepSeek of Data Privacy Violations
South Korea’s data protection regulator has accused the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek of transferring user data to ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, raising serious concerns about data security and privacy.
DeepSeek Removed from South Korean App Stores
DeepSeek, a popular AI chatbot, was removed from Apple and Google app stores in South Korea due to these data privacy concerns. Before its removal, the app had already been downloaded over a million times in the country.
The Personal Data Protection Commission of South Korea has claimed to have found a link between DeepSeek and ByteDance. However, it has not yet disclosed specific details regarding the type and amount of data that may have been transferred.
Concerns Over Chinese Data Laws
Critics argue that China’s National Intelligence Law could allow the Chinese government to access data from Chinese companies, further amplifying fears about DeepSeek’s potential data-sharing practices.
Global Restrictions on DeepSeek
South Korea is not the only country to impose restrictions on DeepSeek. Other nations have also taken action:
- Taiwan: All government agencies and critical infrastructure companies are prohibited from using DeepSeek.
- Italy: The chatbot was banned after refusing to disclose the personal data it collects from users and claiming that European data protection laws do not apply to it.
- Australia: A ban on government officials using DeepSeek has been imposed.
- United States: The Pentagon and U.S. Congress have banned their personnel from using DeepSeek.
- Netherlands: Following the U.S. decision, the Netherlands also imposed a ban on the chatbot.
What is DeepSeek?
DeepSeek gained massive popularity on January 27, surpassing ChatGPT as the most downloaded free app on the Apple App Store. However, on the same day, it reportedly faced a significant cyberattack.
Founded in 2023 by Liang Wenfeng, a graduate of the School of Information and Electronic Engineering, DeepSeek was built using Nvidia A100 chips—components that are now restricted from export to China. Some reports suggest that Wenfeng’s decision to develop DeepSeek was influenced by these restrictions, prompting him to create an AI model using a combination of high-end and lower-end chips that remain available for import.
DeepSeek operates using the open-source DeepSeek-V3 model. Some experts claim the model was developed with a budget of less than $6 million, significantly lower than its competitors. However, this figure remains disputed among industry experts.
OpenAI’s Concerns
On January 29, OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, stated that Chinese firms are constantly attempting to use American competitors’ technology to enhance their AI models. This further fuels the debate over China’s access to foreign AI advancements and data privacy issues.
Final Thoughts
With rising global concerns over data privacy and AI regulation, DeepSeek’s future remains uncertain. More countries may follow South Korea’s lead in scrutinizing and restricting AI applications linked to Chinese firms. As AI technology advances, ensuring transparency and compliance with international data protection laws will be crucial for the credibility of such companies.
