Korean Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) has recently taken action against the AI chatbot ”DeepSeek” and is investigating the matter after the chatbot was found to have potentially shared user data with the Chinese internet technology company ByteDance, which owns TikTok, during its beta testing phase. In the wake of this development, the South Korean government has suspended new downloads of DeepSeek, exacerbating the worldwide discourse surrounding privacy and data security.
Government Action: South Korea has temporarily suspended new downloads of DeepSeek amidst investigations.
Investigation Details: Although it has been confirmed that DeepSeek communicated with ByteDance, the specifics of the data shared are still under scrutiny.
Company Response: DeepSeek acknowledged its oversight regarding local data protection laws and expressed a willingness to cooperate with South Korean authorities.
Global Concerns on Data Management:
The controversy surrounding DeepSeek is not isolated. The chatbot has been under the international radar since its launch in January when it amassed an explosive 12.2 million downloads within 48 hours. The data is hosted on Chinese servers and depend on information from countries such as Italy, France, Germany, the USA, Taiwan, and Australia, so privacy is of growing concern. Further concerns have been added by the DeepSeek privacy policy, which highlights that the data may be utilized in the context of legal compliance or in the interests of the public.
ByteDance’s Standpoint:
ByteDance has refuted claims of direct data sharing with DeepSeek. They clarified that DeepSeek utilizes Volcano Engine, ByteDance’s cloud service, which they argue does not equate to data sharing. However, findings from SecurityScorecard, a cybersecurity firm, revealed that DeepSeek’s code does integrate with ByteDance services, leaving room for doubt regarding the nature of their relationship.
Looking Forward:
The South Korean government is pressing for a thorough investigation into DeepSeek’s data handling practices. Should the allegations hold, DeepSeek could face stringent regulations and sanctions, not just in South Korea but potentially worldwide. The results of this Inquiry could establish a precedent for the conduct of global technology companies with respect to user data and interactions with foreign entities.
Conclusion:
The tech industry and global regulators are closely watching the situation as it develops. The outcome of this case could have significant consequences for international data privacy regulations and the operational frameworks of global tech companies.