South Korea Blocks DeepSeek App Downloads

South Korea's Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) has temporarily suspended downloads of the Chinese AI app DeepSeek due to concerns over its data handling practices, effective from Saturday at 6 pm. The suspension follows the app's failure to comply with South Korea's privacy laws, with DeepSeek acknowledging its oversight. Existing users can still access the app but are advised against inputting personal data until compliance is assured. DeepSeek has appointed a local representative to facilitate adherence to the regulations and has agreed to work with South Korean authorities to rectify the issues. Similar concerns have led to restrictions in other countries, including Australia and Italy, highlighting the global scrutiny of data privacy in Chinese tech products.