South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has issued a formal advisory warning against the use of the Chinese AI app DeepSeek, citing excessive data collection and national security risks. According to a report by Reuters, the NIS urged government agencies to take security precautions, highlighting the app’s invasive data practices and links to Chinese servers.
Data Collection and Privacy Risks
The NIS warned that DeepSeek collects not only user chat records but also keyboard input patterns, which could be used to identify individuals. The collected data is allegedly transmitted to Chinese servers associated with companies such as volceapplog.com.
Concerns about Chinese data laws were also raised, with the NIS emphasizing that the Chinese government can access such data upon request. The agency further alleged that DeepSeek provides advertisers unrestricted access to user data, heightening privacy risks for South Korean users.
In response, several South Korean government ministries have begun blocking access to the app. South Korea joins Australia and Taiwan, which have already imposed similar restrictions or issued warnings regarding DeepSeek’s security risks.
Inconsistent and Culturally Sensitive Responses
The NIS also flagged inconsistencies in DeepSeek’s responses to culturally and politically sensitive topics. One example involved the origin of kimchi, a traditional Korean dish. When asked in Korean, DeepSeek affirmed that kimchi is Korean. However, when asked the same question in Chinese, the app claimed that kimchi originated in China.
This discrepancy has reignited tensions in the ongoing cultural dispute between South Korea and China over the dish’s origins. Reuters corroborated the differences in the app’s responses, further intensifying the debate on social media.
Additionally, the NIS reported that DeepSeek censors politically sensitive topics. When questioned about the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, the app reportedly deflected by suggesting, “Let’s talk about something else.”
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Broader Security Implications
The advisory highlights growing concerns over data security in the use of Chinese AI platforms. South Korea’s move aligns with a broader trend among countries tightening security measures against foreign apps perceived as threats to national security and privacy. The response underscores the increasing role of AI governance in international relations, especially regarding cross-border data protection and censorship concerns.
As more governments scrutinize AI platforms, the case of DeepSeek is likely to influence ongoing discussions about data sovereignty, security protocols, and the ethical deployment of AI technology.
