AI Firm DeepSeek Temporarily Suspended Service to Address Data Privacy Concerns, Earns Personal Data Commission Recognition
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - AI developer DeepSeek voluntarily paused its service worldwide following recommendations from South Korea’s Personal Information Commission (PIC) to improve its personal information processing practices. The PIC proactively contacted DeepSeek headquarters to initiate the review,making it the first instance of an overseas business operator committing to comply with Korean data protection law preemptively.
DeepSeek resumed service after implementing the PIC’s suggested improvements. The PIC’s actions have been lauded for strengthening personal information protection globally.
The case highlights growing concerns surrounding data privacy in the age of artificial intelligence and complex data infringement factors. It also demonstrates the PIC’s commitment to proactive governance, recently recognized with both the Minister of the interior and Safety Award for its ‘Voice Phishing Prevention Project Using Artificial Intelligence’ and first place in a public referendum for ‘Excellent examples of active administration.’
Beyond the DeepSeek case, the PIC facilitated the advancement of AI-powered voice phishing detection services by granting a special exception allowing telecommunication companies to utilize voice data from phishing crimes for AI training purposes.
“The committee’s active administration is showing results that can be felt by the public,” stated Lee Jeong-ryeol, Vice Chairman of the PIC. “We will continue to encourage proactive administration to preemptively resolve the public’s inconveniences and make greater efforts to support innovation in new industries such as AI.”
