• DeepSeek has been pulled from South Korea's app stores over security concerns.
  • Existing users are urged to use the app with caution.
  • Authorities are investigating potential vulnerabilities and data privacy issues.

Following emerging security concerns, South Korea’s digital regulators have removed the DeepSeek app from major app stores.

The Chinese AI startup failed to consider the country's rules on personal data protection.

In a recent announcement, authorities advised existing users to exercise caution while the app remains installed on their devices, pending a full investigation into potential vulnerabilities and data privacy issues.

"To prevent further concerns from spreading, the commission recommended that DeepSeek temporarily suspend its service while making the necessary improvements," Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) was quoted as saying by AFP.

This move reflects a broader initiative by South Korean regulators to enforce strict digital security standards amid growing apprehensions over data protection in mobile applications.

Choi Jang-hyuk, vice chairperson of Seoul's Personal Information Protection Commission, confirmed via AFP that new downloads of DeepSeek have been suspended.

He added that authorities will "thoroughly examine DeepSeek's data processing practices to ensure compliance" with local laws.

Consumer data and national cybersecurity protocols are of primary concern for the government at this point, as the government has also launched an official investigation into the app's functionalities and data handling practices.

Meanwhile, the domestic data protection agency said that DeepSeek had "acknowledged that considerations for domestic privacy laws were somewhat lacking".

It further stated that bringing DeepSeek in line with South Korea's privacy laws "would inevitably take a significant amount of time".

DeepSeek was reportedly removed from local app stores on Saturday (0900 GMT). Although the app was unavailable on the local Apple App Store on Monday, users who had previously downloaded it could still access and use it.

DeepSeek's privacy concerns have led countries like Italy and Taiwan to block the chatbot, while other governments have advised their employees to remain cautious of the startup.

Edited By Annette George