South Korean spy agency says DeepSeek ‘excessively’ collects personal data, raising national security concerns over its data-sharing practices. South Korea’s intelligence agency has raised alarms over the Chinese AI app DeepSeek, citing extensive data collection and potential national security risks. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) has urged government agencies to take precautions and, in some cases, restrict access to the application.
According to the NIS, DeepSeek collects personal data in an “excessive” manner. Unlike other generative AI tools, it records chat histories and gathers keyboard input patterns that can identify users. The agency claims the app transmits this data to Chinese servers, including those linked to companies such as volceapplog.com.
Government Agencies Take Action
In response to the security concerns, several South Korean ministries have blocked access to DeepSeek. Several government agencies have blocked the app after South Korean spy agency says DeepSeek ‘excessively’ collects personal data and transmits it to Chinese servers. The move aligns with similar actions taken by Australia and Taiwan, both of which have expressed concerns about the app’s data handling practices.
The NIS also warned that DeepSeek provides advertisers unrestricted access to user information and stores South Korean user data on Chinese servers. Under Chinese law, authorities in Beijing could potentially access this data upon request.
Inconsistent Responses to Sensitive Topics
Another key concern raised by the NIS is DeepSeek’s inconsistent answers to culturally sensitive questions. The agency cited an example involving kimchi, a traditional fermented dish deeply tied to South Korean identity.
When asked in Korean, the app reportedly identified kimchi as a Korean dish. However, when the same question was posed in Chinese, DeepSeek claimed the dish originated in China. Reuters confirmed these discrepancies in the app’s responses.
Disputes over the origin of kimchi have sparked tensions between South Korean and Chinese social media users in recent years. The NIS also pointed out that DeepSeek censors responses on politically sensitive topics. When asked about the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, the app reportedly suggested changing the subject.
US Lawmakers Push for Ban
The concerns over DeepSeek extend beyond South Korea. In the United States, lawmakers are preparing bipartisan legislation to ban the app from government devices. Representatives Darin LaHood and Josh Gottheimer are leading the initiative, citing risks associated with Chinese data collection.
Texas has already become the first US state to prohibit the use of DeepSeek on government devices. Governor Greg Abbott highlighted potential influence from the Chinese Communist Party as a key reason for the ban.
Cybersecurity experts have also discovered hidden code within DeepSeek, which allegedly transmits user data to China Mobile, a state-owned company already banned from US operations. Federal agencies, including the Navy and NASA, have also restricted access to the app.
China Defends Its Data Policies
South Korean spy agency says DeepSeek ‘excessively’ collects personal data, including keyboard input patterns, which can be used to track users. DeepSeek has not responded to requests for comment. However, China’s foreign ministry has defended its stance on data privacy, stating that Beijing prioritizes security and does not force companies to collect data illegally.
The controversy surrounding DeepSeek comes amid increasing global scrutiny of Chinese technology companies and their data handling practices. As governments worldwide continue to assess the risks, more restrictions on the app could follow.
