South Korea 's data protection authority has announced that Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek transferred user information and queries while its AI app was still available for download from the country's app stores.
According to a statement from the Commission China Data Protection, Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co Ltd did not seek users' consent before transferring personal data to third-party companies located in China and the United States. The app was launched in the country in January.
See also: Android malware OctoV2 imitates DeepSeek and steals credentials
In February, authorities banned new downloads of the DeepSeek app in Korea, as the company had already admitted that it had not complied with some of the requirements related to privacy protection.
According to today's announcement, China's DeepSeek also transferred content from the queries users typed, along with information about their devices, networks and applications, to Beijing Volcano Engine Technology Co. Ltd.
DeepSeek reportedly said it sent this data to Volcano Engine to improve the user experience . It also said it stopped transferring content as of April 10 .
The data protection agency decided to proceed with a corrective recommendation, calling on DeepSeek to immediately delete this data and ensure a legal basis for transferring personal information abroad.
See also: Poseidon Stealer attacks Macs via fake DeepSeek website
This issue with DeepSeek is particularly serious and highlights once again the great challenge that technology companies face in terms of compliance with international data protection regulations.
The fact that data user, as well as AI prompt content, was being transferred without consent to external entities like Beijing Volcano Engine Technologyundermines public trust in the management of personal information — especially when it comes to sensitive or creative data that may contain ideas, personal questions, or even professional content.
The South Korean authority's decision to impose corrective measures is seen by many as necessary. It is important not only for the protection of the country's citizens, but also as a message to other companies: transparency, consent and data security are non-negotiable conditions for anyone wishing to operate internationally.
See also: South Korea: DeepSeek collects too much data
In connection with this announcement, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday that the Chinese government has never asked and will not ask companies to collect or store data illegally.
Source: Reuters
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