South Korea to block access to Chinese AI DeepSeek over data concerns

South Korea has announced plans to block access to the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) service DeepSeek, citing data collection concerns, according to Yonhap News Agency on Thursday.

A finance ministry official confirmed the decision, stating: "Due to multiple technical concerns raised about DeepSeek from home and abroad, we plan to block access for the service on PCs connected to external networks."

This move follows restrictions imposed a day earlier on government computers at the foreign, trade, and defense ministries. A unification ministry official also indicated that similar measures would be implemented across its networks.

"The unification ministry has (since 2023) prohibited the input of undisclosed official data into all generative AI at the request of the National Intelligence Service and the interior ministry," the official stated. When asked about blocking DeepSeek, the official added, "We plan to take follow-up measures within the day, including blocking access."

On Thursday, the Ministry of Environment also restricted access to DeepSeek, blocking it from all internet-connected government PCs.

"The intelligence authorities have asked for caution in using DeepSeek, as its personal information collection system is not yet clearly known," a ministry official said.

Growing Global Scrutiny Over DeepSeek AI
South Korea is not alone in its concerns over DeepSeek. On January 31, Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) barred government employees from using DeepSeek, warning that it could expose sensitive data to Beijing.

MODA classified the AI system as a Chinese information and communications technology (ICT) product, emphasizing the potential national security risks of data leaks, Focus Taiwan reported.

Similar restrictions have emerged in Italy, the United States, and Australia, with Italy’s data protection authority blocking DeepSeek due to a lack of transparency in its use of personal data.

Meanwhile, Howard Lutnick, the nominee for US Commerce Secretary, has accused DeepSeek of stealing US technology and circumventing export controls to acquire Nvidia chips for AI development.

During his January 29 nomination hearing before the US Senate, Lutnick alleged that DeepSeek purchased large quantities of Nvidia chips and exploited Meta’s open platform to develop its models at a lower cost.

"I take a very jaundiced view of China. They only think about themselves and seek to harm us, and so we need to protect ourselves. We need to drive our innovation, and we need to stop helping them," Lutnick told the Senate.

He further criticized DeepSeek’s reliance on Meta’s open platform and its ability to bypass US export restrictions to access Nvidia chips, stating: "It’s got to end."

As concerns over AI security and data privacy grow, South Korea joins a growing list of countries tightening restrictions on Chinese AI models, signaling heightened global scrutiny over DeepSeek’s operations.