South Korea has taken decisive action to block the Chinese search engine DeepSeek from its government computers due to data privacy concerns. The defence ministry has prohibited access to DeepSeek from military computers connected to the internet, while the trade ministry has temporarily restricted its use on all agency computers. This decision aligns with recent scrutiny by countries like France and Italy over DeepSeek's data practices, prompting South Korea to seek clarification from the company on how it handles user information.
In an effort to safeguard sensitive information, the defence ministry spokesperson confirmed the blockade.
"Access to DeepSeek from military work computers has been blocked," said a defence ministry spokesperson.
The spokesperson added that this measure is part of an ongoing strategy to mitigate potential security risks associated with generative AI technologies.
"The ministry has reinforced security precautions regarding the use of generative AI and implemented necessary pre-emptive measures for military personnel’s work devices," the spokesperson elaborated.
The decision to block DeepSeek aims to protect military computers from possible security breaches. The restriction, described as precautionary, reflects a broader initiative by South Korea to defend its governmental systems against cyber threats. The trade ministry's temporary restriction on DeepSeek was made in collaboration with other governmental bodies, emphasizing the importance of a unified approach to data security.
South Korea, alongside other nations, has raised questions about DeepSeek's data practices, requesting detailed information about its handling of user data. This inquiry is part of a comprehensive review to ensure compliance with international data protection regulations. While South Korea awaits a response from DeepSeek, the restrictions remain in place as a preventive measure.
The blockage from military computers represents a significant step as South Korea joins other countries in scrutinizing technology companies' data practices. The trade ministry indicated that the restriction is provisional and may be lifted once sufficient assurances about data security are provided by DeepSeek.
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