South Korea has accused the China-based AI startup DeepSeek of sending its user data to ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, sparking a data privacy investigation amid growing concerns over the startup’s practices.
South Korea has accused DeepSeek, a China-based artificial intelligence startup, of transferring the country’s user data to a third party, according to local media reports.
The nation’s data protection regulator, the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC), confirmed that DeepSeek sent user data to ByteDance, the parent company of the widely popular video-sharing app TikTok. The PIPC stated, "We confirmed DeepSeek communicated with ByteDance," as reported by Yonhap News Agency.
This accusation follows South Korea's recent suspension of new downloads of DeepSeek’s app, citing concerns over its data collection practices. The controversy has escalated, with several South Korean government ministries and agencies blocking internal access to the AI service due to fears over its data management protocols.
Just a month earlier, the PIPC formally requested clarification from DeepSeek regarding its data collection and handling methods. In response, the startup acknowledged gaps in its understanding of South Korean privacy laws and expressed its willingness to cooperate with authorities. To address concerns, DeepSeek also appointed a representative in South Korea.
DeepSeek, known for its innovative and cost-effective AI chatbot, has rapidly gained global attention. In fact, it has outpaced OpenAI’s ChatGPT in some regions, including the United States, despite having far fewer resources. Its sudden rise in popularity has shocked the AI industry, but the ongoing controversy over its data practices now casts a shadow over its future in South Korea and potentially other markets.
Two firefighters have tragically died and two more remain missing as wildfires continue to ravage South Korea, with over 20 fires burning across the country. The most severe blaze, in South Gyeongsang province, has already consumed hundreds of acres.
China and South Korea's foreign ministers held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo, paving the way for a trilateral meeting aimed at enhancing regional cooperation and addressing key security and economic issues.
South Korea's industry minister is set to visit Washington, D.C. this week for talks with U.S. officials on key issues, including tariffs and the nation's "sensitive country" status.
South Korean police will deploy 14,000 officers in Seoul on the day of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment ruling, anticipating protests and security threats. The Constitutional Court is set to deliver its verdict soon, with heightened measures in place.
As the Constitutional Court prepares to rule on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment in the coming days, activist pro-Yoon churches have emerged as some of the most visible and vocal supporters of the embattled leader.
Pope Francis will make his first public appearance in five weeks on Sunday, offering a blessing from his hospital window as he recovers from double pneumonia.
Two firefighters have tragically died and two more remain missing as wildfires continue to ravage South Korea, with over 20 fires burning across the country. The most severe blaze, in South Gyeongsang province, has already consumed hundreds of acres.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has visited the eastern Donetsk region, reinforcing the government’s commitment to maintaining stability and support for those affected by the ongoing conflict.
Tensions between Israel and Lebanon flared on Saturday after Israel launched airstrikes on southern Lebanon in response to a cross-border rocket attack, heightening concerns of further conflict in the region.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has issued a stern warning about the possibility of renewed military operations in the south, following Israeli airstrikes in retaliation for a cross-border rocket launch.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams completed an unexpectedly long 286-day mission on the ISS, returning to Earth aboard a SpaceX capsule after delays caused by technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner.
In a groundbreaking study published in Cell on January 18, Chinese researchers have unveiled a novel cancer treatment that ingeniously disguises tumors as pig tissue, triggering the body’s immune system to mount a hyperacute rejection response against the cancer cells.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated on Thursday that purchasing U.S. weapons does not pose a security risk for his country, but emphasized the need for Europe to reduce its reliance on American defense systems. His comments come amid growing discussions within Europe.
Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Tuesday to a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump that Russia and Ukraine cease attacking each other's energy infrastructure for 30 days, the Kremlin said following a lengthy phone discussion between the leaders.
On March 16, at around 09:45, Armenian armed forces opened fire on Azerbaijani positions located in the direction of the Digh settlement in the Goris region, using firearms, according to Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defence.
Pope Francis will make his first public appearance in five weeks on Sunday, offering a blessing from his hospital window as he recovers from double pneumonia.
Two firefighters have tragically died and two more remain missing as wildfires continue to ravage South Korea, with over 20 fires burning across the country. The most severe blaze, in South Gyeongsang province, has already consumed hundreds of acres.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has visited the eastern Donetsk region, reinforcing the government’s commitment to maintaining stability and support for those affected by the ongoing conflict.
Tensions between Israel and Lebanon flared on Saturday after Israel launched airstrikes on southern Lebanon in response to a cross-border rocket attack, heightening concerns of further conflict in the region.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has issued a stern warning about the possibility of renewed military operations in the south, following Israeli airstrikes in retaliation for a cross-border rocket launch.
Pope Francis will make his first public appearance in five weeks on Sunday, offering a blessing from his hospital window as he recovers from double pneumonia.
Two firefighters have tragically died and two more remain missing as wildfires continue to ravage South Korea, with over 20 fires burning across the country. The most severe blaze, in South Gyeongsang province, has already consumed hundreds of acres.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has visited the eastern Donetsk region, reinforcing the government’s commitment to maintaining stability and support for those affected by the ongoing conflict.
Tensions between Israel and Lebanon flared on Saturday after Israel launched airstrikes on southern Lebanon in response to a cross-border rocket attack, heightening concerns of further conflict in the region.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has issued a stern warning about the possibility of renewed military operations in the south, following Israeli airstrikes in retaliation for a cross-border rocket launch.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment