The rise of DeepSeek has put multiple regions on high alert. Although the company's AI chatbot can be easily used in multiple regions, countries like South Korea have banned the service outright due to security concerns. Now, according to new reports, authorities may have a compelling case for suspending DeepSeek, as a data protection agency believes DeepSeek transferred user data and tips overseas without their consent.
Reuters reported the latest news about DeepSeek's alleged privacy violations, which mentioned that the South Korean Personal Information Protection Commission said in a statement that users' personal information was sent to multiple companies in China and the United States without permission. The report states that DeepSeek does not have the authority to send user data, but notes that this happened when the service went live in January.
Soon after, DeepSeek was completely banned in South Korea in February 2025. South Korea's Data Protection Commission said the artificial intelligence startup admitted failing to take into account some of the regulator's rules on privacy and personal data. In addition to user information, South Korea's Personal Information Protection Commission also believes that DeepSeek sent artificial intelligence commands entered by South Korean users as well as details about users' networks, devices and applications to a Chinese company called Beijing Volcano Engine.
DeepSeek clarified that it transferred data to Beijing Volcano Engine Technology Co., Ltd. to improve user experience and may have stopped transmitting AI instructions since April 10 to comply with the Korean government’s privacy regulations. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified that the government has never and will never ask AI companies to illegally collect and store user information, but the South Korean government does not seem satisfied with this response as the service remains inactive to this day. If DeepSeek can disclose its handling of transmitted data to South Korea, perhaps this AI chatbot can be put into use in South Korea again.