South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has issued a dire warning about the Chinese AI app DeepSeek, accusing it of “excessively” collecting personal data and raising concerns about its data privacy practices, national security implications, and politically sensitive responses.
The NIS has urged government agencies to take immediate security precautions regarding the use of the app.
DeepSeek’s Data Collection Practices: Keyboard Input, Chat Records, and Chinese Servers
The NIS statement reveals that DeepSeek’s data collection goes beyond typical AI services. According to the organization, the app reportedly collects keyboard input patterns, which can be used to identify individuals, and transfers chat records.
Critically, this data is communicated with Chinese companies’ servers, raising concerns about access by the Chinese government.
Yet More Government Agencies Block DeepSeek Access
Several South Korean government ministries have already blocked access to DeepSeek, citing security concerns. This action follows similar warnings and restrictions imposed by Australia and Taiwan, highlighting growing international unease about the app.
The NIS emphasizes that DeepSeek stores South Korean user data on servers located in China. Under Chinese law, the Chinese government can access this information upon request, raising serious national security and data privacy concerns.
DeepSeek’s Politically Sensitive Responses
DeepSeek’s responses to certain questions have also raised red flags. The NIS cited an example of the app providing conflicting answers about the origin of kimchi, a Korean staple dish, depending on whether the question was asked in Korean or Chinese.
This discrepancy is showing the potential manipulation or bias in the app’s responses. Furthermore, DeepSeek has been accused of censoring responses to politically sensitive topics, such as the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, prompting the app to suggest changing the subject.
DeepSeek’s Lack of Response and China’s Stance on Data Privacy
DeepSeek has not yet responded to requests for comment on these allegations. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, addressing previous concerns about DeepSeek, stated that China prioritizes data privacy and security and adheres to the law. The spokesperson also asserted that Beijing would never request companies or individuals to collect or store data illegally.
International Scrutiny of DeepSeek Keep Increasing
The NIS warning and subsequent actions by South Korean government agencies add to the growing international scrutiny of DeepSeek. Concerns about its data collection practices, potential links to the Chinese government, and biased or censored responses are prompting investigations and restrictions in multiple countries. This case underscores the increasing importance of data privacy and national security in the age of artificial intelligence.
