South Korea has restricted the use of Chinese AI app DeepSeek after finding it transferred user data and prompts to companies in China and the US without consent. The data watchdog said DeepSeek sent personal information, including AI prompt content, to Beijing Volcano Engine Technology during its January launch. The company later halted the transfers and claimed it aimed to improve user experience.

In response, multiple government ministries – including Environment, Gender Equality, and Education – have blocked access or issued warnings. Authorities stressed that sensitive data must not be entered into AI tools and that public AI projects require national security reviews. China denied any wrongdoing.