The Chinese artificial intelligence service DeepSeek became accessible again on South Korean app markets on Monday, marking its reappearance after approximately two months of suspended downloads due to alleged breaches of data protection regulations cited by authorities.
South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission stated on Thursday that DeepSeek transferred user data and prompts without obtaining the necessary consent when the service was initially launched in South Korea in January.
The app’s download availability was halted in February following the emergence of concerns regarding personal data protection. However, the service is now once again available for download on South Korean app marketplaces, including Apple’s App Store and the Google Play Store.
“We manage your personal information in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act of Korea,” DeepSeek stated in an updated privacy policy notice associated with the app.
DeepSeek clarified that users have the option to decline the transfer of their personal information to various companies located in China and the United States.
DeepSeek did not provide an immediate response to a request for comment on Monday.
South Korea’s data protection agency indicated that DeepSeek had voluntarily decided to reinstate the app’s download availability, a decision it was entitled to make after addressing at least some of the agency’s recommendations.
