South Korea Flags DeepSeek for Unlawful Data Transfers to China, Issues Corrective Order

South Korea Flags DeepSeek for Unlawful Data Transfers to China, Issues Corrective Order

Last Updated Apr - 24 - 2025, 02:40 PM | Source : Fela News

South Korea's data watchdog accuses Chinese AI firm DeepSeek of transferring user data and prompts without consent. The agency orders deletion of shared content

South Korea’s data protection authority announced on Thursday that Chinese AI startup DeepSeek transferred user data and AI prompt content without user consent when its app was still available on the country’s app marketplace.

According to the Personal Information Protection Commission, Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co. Ltd. failed to obtain proper user consent before sending personal information to several companies based in China and the United States during its launch in South Korea in January.

In February, South Korean regulators halted new downloads of the DeepSeek app after the company admitted to overlooking some of the agency’s personal data protection guidelines. On Thursday, the agency revealed that DeepSeek had also transferred user-entered AI prompts, along with device, network, and app data, to Beijing Volcano Engine Technology Co. Ltd.

DeepSeek later told the commission that the data was shared to enhance user experience, but as of April 10, the company had stopped transferring AI prompt content.

The data protection agency has issued a corrective recommendation, directing DeepSeek to immediately delete the AI prompt data sent to Volcano Engine and to establish a legal framework for future international data transfers.

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