South Korea says Chinese AI firm DeepSeek sent user data without consent

Reuters

South Korea’s data protection authority said Thursday that Chinese AI startup DeepSeek transferred user information and prompt content abroad without user consent during its initial launch in the country.

The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) found that Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co. Ltd. shared personal data and AI prompts with companies in China and the United States after its January release in South Korea.

The app was suspended in February after DeepSeek acknowledged it failed to meet local privacy rules. According to the commission, AI prompt inputs and user device data were sent to Beijing Volcano Engine Technology Co. Ltd.

DeepSeek told authorities the transfer was meant to “improve user experience”, but said it blocked further data transmission as of April 10.

South Korea has now issued a corrective recommendation, urging the company to delete the transferred data and establish a legal basis for any future international data transfers.

China’s Foreign Ministry responded, saying:

“The Chinese government has not and will never ask companies to collect and store data illegally.”

DeepSeek has yet to comment on the investigation.

Tags

Comments (0)

What is your opinion on this topic?

Leave the first comment