Now, South Korea blocks DeepSeek on govt computers over cybersecurity concerns

South Korea’s defence ministry has blocked access to the DeepSeek artificial intelligence tool on computers used for military purposes, officials said on Thursday. Earlier, the East Asian nation’s foreign and trade ministries restricted access to DeepSeek on government computers, Yonhap News reported, citing multiple sources.

South Korea has joined the list of countries and companies that have blocked the Chinese AI tool.

South Korean police also said Thursday they were blocking DeepSeek’s access to work computers. The developments came after the Chinese AI startup did not respond to a data watchdog request about how it manages user information.

The South Korean Defence Ministry told Bloomberg News on Thursday that it has taken “necessary preemptive measures” on work computers due to security concerns over generative AI services.

South Korea joins the list

Earlier, the United States took action against the Chinese AI chatbot. Federal agencies, including the Pentagon and the US Navy, have blocked employees from accessing DeepSeek, citing potential risks associated with its Chinese ownership and data handling practices.

Australia has banned DeepSeek AI from all government systems and devices. Ireland has requested more information from the company regarding potential violations of EU privacy laws.

Japan has effectively banned generative AI services on government devices handling sensitive information, though each ministry can decide on its use for other devices, according to Digital Transformation Minister Masaaki Taira. Italy has also ordered the same restrictions on the Chinese AI company, banning its services on government devices.

DeepSeek creates panic in tech world

DeepSeek is a Chinese artificial intelligence company founded in 2023 and based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang.

DeepSeek has gained international attention for its AI advancements following the launch of its R1 model. DeepSeek became the most downloaded app on the Apple Store in the US.

This led to a crisis in the tech world, with shares falling into the red. Nvidia’s share was down by 17 per cent, resulting in a $600 billion loss in market value. However, the share recovered afterwards.

It is believed that the DeepSeek model is much more efficient, faster, and cost-effective.