Chinese AI service DeepSeek is now back on South Korean app stores after a two-month suspension that followed concerns over user data mishandling. The app had been pulled in February after South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) flagged unauthorized transfers of user data and AI prompts shortly after its local launch in January.
Authorities said DeepSeek had transferred personal data without user consent, violating South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Act. This prompted regulators to halt app downloads while reviewing the company’s practices. The AI service has since updated its privacy policies and claims to now fully comply with Korean data protection laws.
In a revised statement, DeepSeek emphasized its adherence to local regulations and noted that users can now opt out of having their data shared with certain third-party companies in China and the U.S. The policy change appears to be a direct response to the PIPC’s recommendations.
While DeepSeek hasn’t issued a formal comment on its reinstatement, the South Korean data protection agency confirmed that the company voluntarily re-enabled downloads after implementing at least some of the suggested privacy safeguards. The app is now accessible again via Apple’s App Store and Google Play in South Korea.
Source: Arise